By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –
PARLIAMENT yesterday unanimously ratified the appointment of Irene Mambilima as Chief Justice following her appointment.
President Edgar Lungu recently appointed Ms Justice Mambilima as Chief Justice.
Moving the motion to ratify Ms Justice Mambilima’s appointment, United Party for National Development (UPND) Choma Central Member of Parliament (MP) Cornelius Mweetwa told the House that the appointee was qualified for the position as she had served in the legal fraternity for a long time.
Mr Mweetwa who is the chairperson for the Parliamentary select committee said apart from her qualifications, Ms Justice Mambilima had been highly commended by many for her exemplary behaviour and clean records.
He however expressed concern over high court judges being seconded to other institutions such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) which he said should be discouraged and be given to retired judges.

. Mambilima

“We did not find anything suitable to disqualify her as Chief Justice as she is a woman of integrity and we strongly recommend that this house ratifies her appointment,” Mr Mweetwa said.
Seconding the motion, Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) Luena MP Gertrude Imenda said the committee interacted with various witness and what came out prominent was their confidence in the unique ability of Ms Justice Mambilima to discharge the duties of Chief Justice.
“Her appointment as the first female chief justice of the country is an important milestone in the gender agenda, above all she is a woman of substance and integrity,” Ms Imenda said.
UPND Monze central MP Jack Mwiimbu said Ms Justice Mambilima was a lady of integrity and qualified for the job.
He said he was confident that she would bring sanity to the Judiciary once she takes over the office which had suffered setbacks in the last three years.
“The Judiciary in Zambia has been brutalised by the Executive, and we are optimistic under her that the judiciary would be able to listen to us in the opposition,” Mr Mwiimbu said.
.PF Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo said Ms Mambilima has unquestionable integrity and deserves the privilege to hold the position of Chief Justice.
State House Deputy Minister Mulenga Sata said Government was confident that the Judiciary would function independently under Ms Justice Mambilima.
Justice Minister, Ngosa Simbyakula said government was committed to ensure that the judiciary was independent including in the area of financial autonomy.