CHIEF Justice Ernest Sakala has challenged those with evidence of corruption in the Judiciary to report to law enforcement agencies and “stop singing the song” if they don’t.
Mr Justice Sakala said some critics thrive on accusations that the Judiciary is corrupt and that such a negative perception is more damaging for the Judiciary than the allegations.
“I have said before that we do not tolerate corruption. But if anyone has evidence of corruption in the Judiciary, please report to the relevant authorities for the law to take its course. But if you have no evidence, stop singing the song,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He said this on Friday when he opened the Magistrates’ and Judges Association of Zambia (MAJAZ) triennial conference at Baluba Hotel in Luanshya.
“The Judiciary continues to be faced with several challenges, the major one of which is the perception by certain sections of society about our ability to serve the people of Zambia in the delivery of justice,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He said delays in the delivery of judgements, poor time-keeping, negative attitude towards members of the public and corrupt conduct by some members and staff of the Judiciary at whatever level contribute to the creation of a negative and damaging perception of the institution.
Mr Justice Sakala said while a good amount of criticism that the Judiciary gets is not factually supported, the conduct of some of its members does not help this arm of Government.
He said this creates doubt in the minds of the public over the Judiciary’s ability to dispense justice in a fair manner.
“As I have always said, it is the perception that is more damaging than the actual allegations, whether true or not. But I am pleased to inform this gathering that we have since employed a public relations officer, a qualified journalist with immense journalism experience, whose job description centres on demystifying the image of the Judiciary,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He congratulated MAJAZ’s outgoing executive committee for completing its term of office free of industrial unrest by its members.
“This is unlike in the past when their worships unprofessionally resorted to illegal strikes as a means of demanding for better salaries and improved conditions of service,” Mr Justice Sakala said.
He said the objective of MAJAZ is to safeguard the independence of the Judiciary as an essential requirement of the judicial function and a guarantee of human rights and freedom under the rule of law.
Mr Justice Sakala said MAJAZ is required to promote the dignity of the judicial office.
He said he is happy that Lusaka resident magistrate Aridah Chulu had been elected to the regional committee of the council representing East, Central and southern Africa at the 15th triennial conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association in Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mr Justice Sakala said he is confident that Mrs Chulu will adequately represent both the region and the Zambian Judiciary in the council for the next three years.
He urged the conference to come up with recommendations on how best to protect the independence of magistrates and the conditions of service for the lower bench.
But what’s the significance of UNICEF donating motorbikes to the judiciary?
One has to be an imbacile not to notice that the Zambian government as a whole is very corrupt.
The point in case is the Chiluba issue,one does not need to possess LLM or LLD degrees to realize that in this case there was and there is still evidence beyond any reasonable doubt to convict the man.
The problem in Zambia is “animal farm syndrome´´ and that is some people are more equal or more human than others.
Corruption in Zambia is so visible at all levels. Even a blind man is able to see that.
Justice Sakala makes a very good point. Let’s learn to bring out those “corrupt” practices that we refer to when we say the judiciary is corrupt. While most of you find it easy to say the judiciary is corrupt, none of you can pin point even 3 or 4 corrupt elements about the judiciary….
I agree with him that, its these very perceptions that are much more damaging to the judiciary…!
#1. The significance of this donation is that Children’s rights will be enhanced, because Lawyers and members of the Judiciary will be using these motorbikes to run after all those abusing children in any way. This will be a big development because cases of children abuse take so long due to lack of swift transport like motorbikes. Enjoy your evening ba Nine Chale, that is if there is anything to enjoy about it. it should be cold now in germany.
Justice in zed is mostly in the press. the system is corrupt and extremely slow. why did the KAFUPI case take as long as it did? probably so that all the lawyers involved would make enough to buy brand new cars!
Others can say: Prove that you are not corrupt!
Zambians have noted the corruption of the judiciary. 1. Aquitall of chiluba 2.only the case of Regina Mwanza has been allocated 3 judges…why? etc. So mr chief Justice just keep queit.
#9 3. A prisoner flying to Nigerian with FTJ for holiday! Its upto the judiciary to prove their innocence.
Imwe Ba Justice Enerst Sakala, high court judges use their marshals to arrange and collect bribes. We know that. Then the high level corruption involves the presidency which always increases your slaries when there is an election petition.
Auuuchi just keep quite chi Sakala, dont tell us that Zambia is a corrupt free country, where is the money that was stolen at MOH, and if you are right release all those people
I am still waitng for judgement since 2005 when my civil trail ended. It is only a 1 page judgement where I sued for recovery of monies owed. Trail ended and we were asked to come for judgement in “2 weeks” but that was February 2005. I am still waiting and have since re-located. What next?
# 1 ..That’s the thought that came to my mind when i read the caption on that photo. We are probably missing something about the way the court system functions in Z . To escort prison vans maybe?
Anyway , the chief justice should keep his mouth shut , get on with the job , and not cheapen the office of chief justice with politicking.
# 11 Kwandangala…and # 6 Okocha ..Hahahahaha.!…..COOL!
#6 Okocha many thanks for the explanation & the well wishes – yes its a gloomy evening here in Germany but LT is always a good place for letting in some sunshine. Otherwise, I will now play some chess with my German friend Fritz before calling it a day. Cheers.
Who does one report to when the whole system functions on corruption.Zambia is a rotten country!
Justice Sakala or Injustice Sakala? The old man has outlived his workspan and still he does not want to leave the office. Then where is his justice? Injustice Sakala is defending corruption because he is in the office because of corruption. Without corruption this Injustice Sakala can loose his job and he has nothing to say but to defend injustice. Injustice Sakala you have lost your usefulnes and you dont deserve to be given an ear. You are the one who should shut up because your mouth offers nothing but you have turned into MMD propagander. Shame on you
I just wonder why a guy like chief justice should hold on to the post even when he is supposed to retire. This guy cant earn a living without depending on tax payers after having worked for more 30 years? I cant just understand! The guy is not even ashamed. Remember the other Chief Justice Ngulube—– he would always ask people to prove corruption what happened———? Corrupt minded people have no shame.
the chief justice comment on corruption is sad and that means corruption cannot be solved in zambia. the chief justice doesn’t see it?? I ve got no words. Let’s just wait for the next gvt, people.
Google to find the following Post articles:
Sata accuses Chief Justice of protecting plunderers
By George Chellah
Sun 15 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT
Chief Justice Sakala must resign – Kalala
Written by George Chellah
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 4:10:32 AM
This very provokating and sad comments from the chief justice, can he justify to zambian people why RB is very against the people to appeal in chiluba acquittal cases? why is the president defending this case if the jurdicially is not corrupt? its indeed sad that even pipo we respected like this Sakala they have lost direction and they can not see uncalled for corruption scandals.
Mr. Justice waz da meaning of yo title if thez no justice pa Zed. Dandy Crazy sings, nshimpangile umulandu bankanka, akapondo bakakula. Ka lafwaya na immun…! Laws are made by man to fix anada man. So when Law takes its course pa Zed it takes the wrong course. After all that evidence on Red Lips Saga, innocent victims lost jobs for testifying including expulsion of poor CBU students.
all, Sakala and them they are corrupt thats why is being given that job by his corrupt Boss, i hope the system of choosing the justice will change in such a way that the perliament will have to aprove them which will not happen by now.
Ernest must honestly be corrupt himself not to see corruption at this alarming size.
Sakala is the one who should shut up his old corrupt mouth and not the people. Had I been a chief justice of a judiciary that acquitted Chiluba, I will hang myself with shame but Sakala thinks he should continue in his position even when he has been damaged extensively in terms of reputation. The issue is not people bringing evidence (and we heard this from Chiluba, dé·jà vu), the real issue is Sakalanyongo should be showing some spank in the execution of his office and stop this wanton gerrymandaring of the judiciary by Kansundila’s long executive arm (the Dora Siliya and Chiluba cases)
human rights abuse by police and politicians,inhuman prison conditions,The list is to long this justice will wake up one day just like Chiluba fighting for his life not to be thrown in a Kamwala Prison
1. Your term has expired and you have reached the retirement age!!!!, what are you doing being in office now. Corruption!!!!!!!!
Sakala you are past your retiring age and yet you still holding on!!! when the constitution clearly say you should retire … talk about corruption!!!
Sakala, what is the problem with your head! I now agree with Sangwa’s appeal against your continued stay in office. You are a toal liability to the Judicial system in ZED. No one needs to prove any corruption in the Judiciary. You yourself are corrupt, given you are staying in office illegally, so you could only bootlick RB shoes, and mint him in 2011 general elections.
We wont stop talking till we stop your corrupt regime! Just resign, with some honour. Remember your pre-decessors were proven corrupt. What evidence do you need, FTJ?
We are watching you Sakala!
What causes the negative perception is not that people are accusing the judiciary of being corrupt, it’s that the judiciary is sneering and saying “prove it or shut up”. That looks BAD
It seems there are alot more people with cadre mentality of making accusations when they have no evidence. GRZ 1 says if you have evidence of corruption in the Judiciary bring it to the fore so that the system can be cleaned and all people can say is it’s there. EVIDENCE was the key word.
LT whats this??? your site looks horrible!!!
This sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black,The most corrupt wing of government is the judiciary itself and let me say our thief justice is an embarrassment to the nation and regional as a whole.
I saw the chief justice tosting champagne the other day and if this is not the case, how will the courts of Zed make rulings to such people?
Mr. Sakala we are watching you
Some fun on Monday: search for RB STRIP TEASE on Youtube, enjoy your week.
Even Chiluba used to ask for “proof of corruption”
It is either the CHIEF Justice is blind to the facts or is a corrupt incompetent not fit to be CHIEF Justice.
There was and there is enough evidence to convict FJT Chiluba but the this corrupt CHIEF Justice sees nothing wrong with the acquital.
The CHIEF Justice should “stop singing the song” and do his job or retire instead of clinging to a job which he is holding corruptly.
Yes Zedian. Ba Sakala said bring evidence of corruption. Pipo who love pointing accusing finger have turned to insults. If u know for a fact that there corruption report it to authorities otjerwise shut up. typical of zambians when challeged we resort to insult the person challeging and sidestep the issue.Its not upto the judicial to prove it innocence. I can just wake up and say Katalina lihule. I HAVE TO PROVIDE VIDEO EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT. Emphela
The proof “is in the pudding,” as Americans would say. One only needs to look at the results from the Zambian courts to know exactly how the balance of justice swings in our Zambia. It is always difficult to prove a negative(if not impossible)—-and corruption is a negative!!
If time and time again the only people to whom the the Laws of Zambia seems to apply are the “least of these” among the Zambian citizenry; YES! people will have a legitimate reason to suspect corruption, Mr. Justice. All the “big-wigs” seems to be ruled by a separate set of Laws, sir!!
How else can you explain some of the clear-cut cases that have come b4 the courts involving prominent individuals and almost all of them have gotten off? Yet if someone steals K10,000 from a neighbor, they go in for life.
I entirely agree with The CJ. here. The is a problem of peoples perception but this is not based on hard facts. The case in point is the Chiluba case, the man was aquitted and because people expected a conviction, there is talk of corruption with no evidence whatsoever. The fact that people dislike FTJ does not make him a thief or mean there is adequate evidence to convict him. To shout corrupt without narrowing down to the eveidence is retrogressive. Its like a person who has a business dipute and goes to court loses the cases, then says the judge is corrupt because he lost. when asked for evidence he just says are you telling me you are blind. That is just sour grapes
Yamba yamba. which cases? we can talk of the generals, Francis Kaunda. Richard Sakala, Regina, Then i must add that the rich and powerfull get good lawyers…
Justice Sakala should just retire and enjoy all the incentives which go with a retired judge. it’s so attractive that I can not understand why he should cling to his position and in the end lose his credibility due to uterrances being made against him. He should have pride. His back has even started curving inwards when he is walking, a sign that he is old.
Perception doesn’t just happen, it comes after a sequence of events that enforce such a stance. Imagine if this was aprivate company they’re running, the onus on themselves to shape up to prove they are not what they are perceived to be, not the other way round.
Nkosi, perception can also be causeed by mis understanding of facts, ignorance etc However the onus yess is on them to clean up, that is probably why they are hiring a PR person
One may just end up developing BP. Lord of mercy, are these the kind of people in charge of justice in Zambia.
Sakala you are very dull, we wanted to prove corruption and the government refused to appeal so what bull shit are you talking about. we can prove but if they are refusing the appeal then what? Banda says he had to stop the prosecution of Chiluba and yet your rubber stamp, judge Chinyama says he acquitted the him. this is the ****ing shit we are talking about. judge Chinyama was used by Banda. you are all rubber stamps for Banda, but your days are nearing, soon we shall sort you out and bring you down. mark my words
very true. zambians just gossip. useless bunch with no eveidence. they will burn in hell for their sins
@zodie—-hardly a day passes where you don’t make me laugh. lol
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has supported the stance taken by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala that any member of the public with evidence of corruption in the judiciary should report to the relevant arms of Government.
LAZ president Stephen Lungu said in Lusaka yesterday that attacks on the judiciary alleging that it was corrupt were unwarranted and as such should be stopped.
He said as noted by Justice Sakala, people with evidence of corruption in the judiciary should report to the investigative wings and not to incessantly attack the judiciary through the media.
“The position by the Chief Justice is the correct one and now that he had spoken, people have a leeway to complain through the established wings of Government.