Lusaka, 3rd April 2023 – The Republican President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, this morning at State House, swore in nineteen (19) Judges of the Superior Courts. The swearing-in ceremony follows the appointment of the honorable judges and subsequent ratification by the National Assembly, pursuant to Article 140 of the Constitution.
Those sworn in today to the Constitutional Court were Hon. Lady Justice Professor Margaret Mulela Munalula – President; Hon. Mr. Justice Arnold Mweetwa Shilimi – Deputy President; Hon. Mr. Justice Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga; Hon. Lady Justice Maria Mapani Kawimbe; and Hon. Mr. Justice Kenneth Mulife.
The President also swore in Hon. Mr. Justice Mwiinde Just Siavwapa – Judge President; Hon. Lady Justice Abha Nayar Patel, SC; and Hon. Lady Justice Yvonne Chembe to the Court of Appeal.
The High Court saw the swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Enias Chulu; Hon. Lady Justice Mwaka Samandengu Ngoma; Hon. Hon. Mr. Justice Geoffrey Chilufya Mulenga; Hon. Lady Justice Mbile Wina; Hon. Lady Justice Anne Mary Kachenga Malata Ononuju; Hon. Lady Justice Situmbeko Chocho; Hon. Mr. Justice Lastone Mwanabo; Hon. Mr. Justice Ian Mabolobolo Mwananjiti; Hon. Mr. Justice Vincent Sililo Siloka; Hon. Mr. Justice Obister Musukwa; and Hon. Mr. Justice Greenwell Malumani.
In his congratulatory remarks, the President congratulated the judges on their respective well-deserved appointments, and for accepting the honor to serve the people of Zambia.
The President reminded the judges that the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary are equal arms of government, and that though responsibilities and duties maybe separated and different, all were part of the government, as such reiterated the need to work as a team in serving the people of Zambia. He emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in mindsets of all public service officers, in order to bring about the Zambia that we all want and deserve.
Mr. Hichilema reminded the judges that justice delayed is justice denied, and the need to dispose of matters before the courts expeditiously. He further stated that each judge had the individual responsibility to assist in changing the image of the Judiciary, to one that is loved by the people, arising from hard work.
The president concluded by thanking the families of the sworn-in judges, without whom the judges would be unable to execute their duties.
In attendance were Hon. Mr. Justice Albert Mark Wood, Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Lady Justice Anne Sitali, Hon. Mr. Justice Chalwe Mchenga, Deputy Judge President, Court of Appeal, and Hon. Lady Justice Gertrude Chawatama, Judge-in-Charge, High Court General List. Others were Ms. Nalishebo Imataa, Chief Administrator and Hon. Exnobert Zulu, Chief Registrar.
