By Sishuwa Sishuwa
On 3 October 2024, three judges of Zambia’s Constitutional Court dismissed former president Edgar Lungu’s application for them to recuse themselves from hearing and determining his eligibility case. In this interview with Diamond TV Zambia, I explain why the decision by justices Margaret Munalula, Maria Kawimbe, and Arnold Shilimi was sound: the application was based on a weak and speculative argument with insufficient evidence. The threshold for recusal is high. It is not enough to make wild allegations in order to displace the presumption of impartiality.
Lungu is fighting a losing battle. If Madam Justice Munalula can maintain her stance even in matters that involve the person that appointed her, we have hope that she can redeem our lost judiciary. She’s our only hope.