Victoria, Seychelles – In a ceremony held yesterday at State House, President Wavel Ramkalawan officiated the swearing-in of Justice Dominic Sichinga and Justice Nicola Sharpe-Phiri as Non-Residential Justices of Appeal. The appointments, made in line with recommendations from the Constitutional Appointments Authority, mark a significant enhancement of the Seychelles Court of Appeal’s capacity.
The ceremony witnessed the newly appointed Justices taking the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Judicial Oath. High-ranking officials, including Vice President Ahmed Afif, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Gervais Henri, President of the Court of Appeal Justice Anthony Fernando, Chief Justice Ronny Govinden, and other distinguished guests, attended the event.
In his address, President Ramkalawan commended the new Justices, expressing confidence that their extensive expertise would bolster the Judiciary’s mission to deliver fair and effective justice. “Your wealth of experience will undoubtedly contribute to the strength and integrity of our judicial system,” he stated.
A Legacy of Legal Excellence
Justice Dominic Sichinga joins the Seychelles Court of Appeal with over two decades of distinguished service in the legal profession. His career has spanned roles such as Solicitor General of Zambia, Legal Consultant at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and presiding Judge at the Kabwe High Court in Zambia. He also served as a Judge of the Appeal Court of Zambia. Beyond Africa, Justice Sichinga has gained international experience in the UK, the US, and Kosovo, excelling in areas such as human rights law, constitutional law, and civil law.
Justice Nicola Sharpe-Phiri, with a career spanning three decades, began her legal journey in private practice before her judicial appointments. She served six years as head of the Family and Children’s Court in Lusaka and was later elevated to Zambia’s Court of Appeal. Currently Chairperson of the Small Claims Court of Zambia, she is a recognized expert in family law, constitutional law, corporate law, and arbitration.
Strengthening the Judiciary
The appointments of Justices Sichinga and Sharpe-Phiri underscore the Seychelles Judiciary’s commitment to enhancing judicial excellence. Their international and regional experience is expected to provide invaluable perspectives to the Court of Appeal, reinforcing the country’s adherence to justice and the rule of law.
Is this the reason why Judge Sharpe-Phiri has reportedly resigned from the Court of Appeal?
Btw, which Phiri married such a beauty-with-brains?!
I believe the underlying issues stem from problematic conditions of service, such as:
1) The government not fulfilling contractual obligations to judges.
2) Financial resources being prioritized for new judges instead of meeting obligations to existing judges.
3) Hindering growth, as promotions are linked to “loyalty to State House” rather than being based on merit.
4) Tribalism within the judiciary.
5) The UPND’s parallel structure putting pressure on the Judges to deliver judgments favorable to the ruling party.
Lie after lie from you Harrison Chirwa. When was Nicola Sharpe-Phiri promoted to the Court of Appeal? And you think a serving Zambian judge can get a job elsewhere in the world without a favourable reference from the Government of Zambia? What kind of naivety is this? Please do not draw otherwise neutral people into your tribal politics.
@ Harrison, I agree with your analysis and would like to point out that the executive has severely compromised the judiciary’s independence since the UPND came to power. The filing of baseless complaints at the JCC, which often leads to swift suspensions and even dismissals, has created a climate of fear among judges, leaving them feeling insecure in their positions. Without this security of tenure, the judiciary loses its essential function as a check on the executive.
Guy Phiri
I feel sorry for Seychelles, they didn’t know Zambian judges receive salary plus extra exaggerated allowances, Lunch, transport, hardship, plus sitting allowances.
Sipo Phiri
I envy them…. they have gone to a place where oxygen is free of toxicity. Congratulations to the two. Here everything is murky so much that even when a sentence is pronounced based on facts people will be suspicious….. because someone has contaminated our judiciary.
It is noteworthy that Seychelles has the courage to appoint foreign judges, adding an important element of independence to its judicial system. In contrast, Zambia is currently facing unprecedented threats and intimidation against its judiciary. Each day highlights the critical importance of the rule of law for the stability and prosperity of our nation, and it shows how brazen the UPND has become in undermining this principle. I commend the judges for their courage, even as we face a loss of experienced and respected judicial officers.
Another lie by you Harrison Chirwa. The Seychelles has recently been in Zambia to recruit secondary school teachers. This is a foreign policy issue about which you are too provincial to comprehend. When a country behaves like this towards another, there are often other interests it is seeking.
@Gunner, could you provide any evidence regarding the alleged deployment of judges between Zambia and Seychelles on a government-government basis? Your theory lacks a solid foundation. State House should feel embarrassed about losing two capable and experienced judges during their administration. The tides are lashing against the Rule of Law in Zambia, and these resignations signal troubling times ahead.
Non Resident should mean will set court when cases arise. Not that they will no longer cases in Zambia. Its additional responisbility. This is refreshing news and topic
# Jackson. The two have actually and effectively resigned from our judiciary. The person who wrote this story is from government and has failed to reveal many details concerning this issue.
Nobody is forced to work as a judge. They’re also free to leave if they’re displeased for whatever reason. No one is even remotely indispensable.
How is Seychelles’ democracy? Like Museveni’s? Or like Italy’s?
And how does this work? Apart from Sata’s attempt, I have never heard of Lusaka employing foreign judges?
Deja Vu this is not the first time Judges have been seconded to other courts outside the country. From the UN court in the Hague and other courts. Sometimes full time and resident in the country such as the late A Silungwe to the former late CJ in the PF era. Google is there if you doubt me. Gone are the days we used tell lies about actors or sing words that dont exist in a song. Boza yayi amai. Or are seeking to join Mwamba?
Lastly, partian in objectivity says alot about a person. Trying to ply a trade that has no value to people as an objective can be very embarassing. Are we in Grade 5 suwa? Or is an old age means to pass time; misinformation?
@Jackson, it’s essential to clarify the facts regarding your misleading assertions. Judges do not simply get “seconded to other courts outside the country”; they proactively seek permission from the Zambian Judiciary to apply for and accept those appointments while on leave. If the two judges in question had indeed been granted leave, they wouldn’t have felt the need to resign! It’s crucial to get your information right. The UPND has significantly harmed the Judiciary, and as a result, the Rule of Law has been significantly weakened.
Our Judges are getting exposed which is good
We have laws but we don’t follow them or should I say the only apply to ordinary men and women. Politicians and the rich are “exempt” from these laws. Sadly over the years the judiciary and legal fraternity has become contaminated by rogue members. Every society or profession has it share of rogue members. However, the FAILURE to sanction these erring members ruins everything for everyone. This problem is not just amongst lawyers, its everywhere accountants, engineers, architects, teachers, police, etc. Our society is really sick! And getting sicker wit each passing day
“We have laws but…… they only apply to ordinary men and women”
We can never be equal. It is a dream we are flying to, in Leon Musk’s rocket, targeting some place between Utopian Marxism and MAGA
A recent ssd but true and painful observation. Trump should have been barred from standing cause the quadmire he has posed to the US Presidency. Biden equally should have allowed the law to play its role. Seems hypocritical for developed states to ask us to walk the higher moral road when it comes to corruption. Ba Swahili for the unity of Africa great observation.
Man needs to know his salvation doesn’t lie in the worship of other men. Those who look up to the US for ideals of democracy, justice, ethics or any other virtues, have been brought down to earth by events in the US.
Because the US has just shown us the masses can be fooled by a fool, justice can be evaded by power, ethics are helpless when faced by emotion. If you don’t believe in God now you should.
It is always good to leave a former working place or village quietly. It is good to have good track record. You are never sure about your next village or working place. To me it is good that even teachers who were not employed here in Zambia are finding work in other countries
This woman is mean.
Congratulations to the two Judge Silungwe was CJ abroad Judge Lisimba, Judge it is true … Judge Chula. Kaballata served in Gambia… Judge Musonda in Lesotho… congrats
Seychelles has secured two outstanding judges with an excellent track record! I imagine President Hichlema and his aides were displeased with Judge Sichinga’s recent ruling with two other Judges that upheld the right to a free and fair trial while dismissing a forfeiture case in court. This method has been the preferred approach of the current government to target its opponents. Given the judges’ principled conduct and the limitations, it is unlikely that we will hear their reasons for stepping down. However, one can read between the lines of their position on this decision: not everyone is willing to tolerate the judicial manipulation occurring under the ruling party in Zambia today.
Pls cite the cause number of the case you refer to bwana ti belengeko.