President Edgar Lungu says the passing away of Chief Justice Irene Mambilima has left the nation in shock as her death was unexpected.
President Lungu says the death of Mrs. Mambilima is even more painful that she was stricken and departed while away from home and family.
Speaking during the State funeral service for the late Chief Justice at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka today, the Head of State noted that the death of Justice Mambilima is heart breaking as she was fine when she left the country for Egypt on official duties.
“The nation has been gripped with shock and owe for the past one month. We have lost His Excellency, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, our founding father of this great nation Zambia, and before we could come to terms with this huge loss, we lose another great Zambian Her Ladyship the Chief Justice,” President Lungu observed.
President Lungu stated that when he received the information of the Chief Justice of being unwell, he directed responsible departments to ensure that the Chief Justice was flown back home, including sending an aircraft and an air ambulance unfortunately that was not to be and she died.
the body of the late Chief Justice,Ireene Mambilima at Anglican
Cathedral of the holy cross in Lusaka.
The President further indicated that the death of Justice Mambilima is a heavy burden to him, on government and the people of Zambia.
“Indeed, a dark cloud is hanging on Zambia. We have lost great people in a very short space of time. We have lost former ministers, businessmen, health workers including, doctors and ordinary people we might not call VIPs but indeed they all matter to me,” he said.
The Head of State added, “I might not have personally met you, but if you are grieving the loss of a loved one, I grieve with you. My sympathies to you. Just yesterday, I lost a Permanent Secretary, a man of God in the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs. But God I know you are there. You have not abandoned us. You have not abandoned our nation. We are a Christian nation and we know you will answer our prayers. Like job in the Holy Bible, Lord, I say blessed be your name! Blessed be your name.”
And President Lungu noted that in Justice Mambilima, the nation has lost an icon of justice and a leading jurist stating that at the same time, the country has been left with a living memory of a true defender of the rule of law.
The President added that Justice Mambilima served her country with diligence and impeccable integrity for forty-four years in both public service including the justice sector and that she lived a life of service right to the very end.
“The lady to be interred today is a great example, especially among our girls, that you young ladies can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it. Irene Mambilima was a girl raised in a humble community in Lusaka at a time when the girl-child was disadvantaged as far as education was concerned but she eluded those stereotypes, excelled at secondary school, studied law at university and rose to the highest office of the judiciary,” President Lungu noted.
The President hinted that many people may have come to know about Justice Mambilima when she chaired the Electoral Commission of Zambia, and presided over the presidential and general elections in 2006, 2011 and 2015.
He noted the elections were hard fought for elections but Justice Mambilima’s experience and exemplary character prevailed saying no wonder she became the first Zambian female chief justice in February, 2015.
Justice,Ireene Mambilima at Anglican Cathedral of the holy cross in
Lusaka.
The Head of State further asked God Almighty to provide major Mambilima and the family, and all who knew the Chief Justice the solace and fortitude to bear the painful loss as she was a wife, mother, grandmother and guardian to many.
He also thanked the President of Egypt Abdel Al-sisi, on behalf of the Zambian people, the judiciary and on his behalf for the assistance rendered.
“May I take this opportunity, on behalf of the judiciary and the people of Zambia, and indeed on my own behalf, to convey our deepest gratitude to his Excellency, Abdel Fattah Al-sisi, President of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and their justices at the supreme constitutional court of Egypt for assistance rendered,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairperson for the Judicial Complaints Authority William Nyirenda said the late Chief Justice Irene Mambilima was an eloquent, thoughtful, accommodating judge but very firm.
He stated that the calmness of Justice Mambilima was always positively infectious, a rare quality in leadership which is worth emulating.
“Zambia has lost a pillar in a girl child counsel and model, a pillar in justice dispensation,” Mr. Nyirenda stressed.
And Resident Reverend for Dutch Reformed Church, Kabulonga congregation, Reverend Moses Zulu during the homily described the late Chief Justice as a selfless woman who loved God in the midst of challenges.
He further encouraged the family to continue trusting God in all things.
The burial service for Mrs. Mambilima was preceded by tributes from children, family and friends.
The Chief Justice who died on 20th June, 2021 in Cairo in Egypt is being put to rest today at Leopard’s Hill Memorial Park and is survived by her husband Retired Major Joseph Mambilima, five children and grandchildren.
late Chief Justice,Ireene Mambilima at Anglican Cathedral of the holy
cross in Lusaka.
The last few days I could see that our president is very hurt. He is hurting deep inside. It is not easy to carry the weight of the nation on your shoulder with so many citizens losing lives in a short period. Our president stay strong and we are here to support you. As a patriot I am fasting and praying. Evil upnd diasporans your time is coming. You have seen the president so now what are you going to complain about next? You dogs
Those who wished our president death,I promise you will die before him. You mongrels
Yes it is painful, especially since it’s YOUR responsibility: she died of Covid-19 and you didn’t do anything to prevent it! What a hopelessly ineffective and corrupt government you are. And no sense of shame! PF: Lying about everything, not delivering anything!
No KZ your incompetent president should not die. I want him to suffer for all those deaths that he is now responsible for. Wasting money on criminal PF cadres instead of buying vaccines, having to rely on foreign donors! And no shame whatsoever! PF: Lying about everything, not delivering anything!
It is indeed sad to lose CJ Ireem Mambilima. She prevailed over the nation in difficult times. MHSRIEP. Let’s not politicize funerals bane, a loss of a person is a sad affair. And it is tough for the head of state and the economy to shoulder all these events.
How is it his responsibility if she died of covid? Please lets have decency in the manner we comment. You wanted the President to give her the vaccine when anyone older than 65 was at liberty to get the vaccine? Do you have information to the fact that she was denied that privilege?
NOBODY WISHES THE PRESIDENT DEAD
EVERYBODY HOWEVER IS WANTING HIM TO VACATE THE THRONE AS HIS PRESIDENTIAL QUALITIES ARE SEVERELY LACKING
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
1. Being vaccinated does not prevent you from getting the virus. You still mask up and social distance.
2. You would think KZ, former lab technician, would educate himself oh shoot his job was just to receive and sort out specimen.
3. You have failed eagle 1 KZ. If you had any decency and have the position you claim to have, you should resign.
Amwapeeling your comment does not even make sense. What are you responding to in my post? You are right about one thing though that getting the vaccine does not prevent one getting the virus. So how can your fellow f00Iish upnd cadres put the blame on govt and ecl. There abroad millions have died..way more than Zambia and yet you still kiss the backsides of your whlte masters there. You are all dogs
Sad that this month of June has seen many departures of ‘big’ personalities and lots of ordinary Zambians and major cause to most being the incompetently handled Covid 19 by government! May the departed souls find solace in their Creator whose call allows alternative choices! However the third covid wave is already claiming more lives and still due to lack of honesty by government in sharing what is being done, more will die due to ignorance! It’s a pity the country has lost a CJ on an unannounced mission to Egypt and this clandestine behavior by government creates more suspicions and distrust to what government is up to! These deaths, one Seer 1 on YouTube claims having engaged in sacrifices with PF performed on roads, in Chirundu and many more places just to win elections, maybe it…
It’s heartbreaking MHSRIP
PLEASE Mr President ban all non-essential intercity travel. This has proved to be the most effective way of controlling Covid anywhere in the world. This can be done for 30 days. Only food and essential goods travel should be allowed. Maybe you do not have relatives, but we do and we fear for their lives.
With her gone Lungu does not have the high court protecting him, pity!! that’s why he is scared.
@ KZ. Simply _ your experience as a lab technician should have made you aware of how viruses spread. If you are so close to the President, you have failed him by not advising him.
The fact that thousands died in developed countries should have given time to the govt to take measures to prevent the spread of the virus. You know how developed our medical care is. All the hospitals are in South Africa for some people.
My fellow PF colleague calls me a dog for stating facts _ you have just lost my vote.
I have made it abroad and will not stoop to your level.
Amwa peeling WELDONE AND WELL STATED
UNFORTUNATELY MY FRIENDS AND COLLEGUES HAVE TO REMAIN ON THE SINKING SHIP
Amwa peeling how do we lose a vote we never had from a lying upnd diasporan who cannot vote in Zambia? Have you been voting in your dreams? Hahaha. Why do people have to lie like this.
Notice the circumstances surrounding the death of Tentanhi Mwanza who has links to the late CJ appears to reveal some super-spreader event that caught up with the attendees. Enough said. Please take this virus seriously bane … siisanka yayi. It will even ignore your moneyed status. Kaleza!
When people were dying in Western world some people here
Were claiming our system was doing a perfect job not knowing
Corvid can be at its peak in one
Country and lowest in another.so
Its now here.lets fight it.
FIGHT IT ??? ITS A PERSONAL FIGHT FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL
AS THIS PF GOVERNMENT IS TOO BUSY TRYING TO RETAIN THEIR SEAT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLES LIVES
GIVING ENPOWERMENT AT THIS STAGE TO SOME WHO MAY NOT BE AROUND TOMORROW
THIS IS HOW CRAZY PF IS
Cause of death is unknown and you have a body viewing ceremony….what she was doing in Cairo is also unknown…I mean what can a CJ be doing in a foreign country when there is no Executive wing of the govt. Lazy Lungu himself appeared sick …he is lying that he was shocked yet he sent the Presidential Jet to Cairo on the 16th….stop your deceitful lies!!
Amwa peeling – Please don’t waste your energy arguing with a UK based impostor/ troll…it can debate and has no affiliation whatsoever to the ruling Party. Its just here to distract you and reduce the thread to a cesspool of insults of with the blessing of Lusaka Times.
*…..it can not debate…..
The ECL and PF Govt is in denial over the Covid-19 Pandemic. Until it can transparently deal with this disease many People are going to be infected and die. The Govt should have acknowledged that CJ Irene Mambilima succumbed from Covid-19 complications. The Govt should openly be dealing with Covid-19 Super Spreader events like Church gatherings, Funerals , Weddings etc. These activities should be restricted to minimise Covid 19 infections and deaths. The Govt should review its Covid-19 Management System and consider partial lockdown of the Economy ,increased testing and contact tracing, revamping vaccinations etc. Transparency is the hallmark of a Covid 19 Management System in Zambia. The writing is on the wall.
How can you fight covid-19 when you are ashamed of even disclosing high ranking people dying of the disease at Maina Soko ….KK lost his life to covid and you still have his body instead of burying quickly. You are breaching covid-19 guidelines by not disclosing it as you are putting lives of moaners at risk who go to congregate at the funeral homes.
Was she buried at the cathedral?