. Mambilima
By DELPHINE ZULU –
CHIEF Justice Irene Mambilima has expressed worry at the level of electoral violence and the voting pattern that characterised the 2016 general elections.
She has since urged members of the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence and the voting pattern in the 2016 general elections to find answers to the causes.
Ms Justice Mambilima said the country had never witnessed the kind of voting pattern and electoral violence as it did in the last general elections since independence, saying the peace being enjoyed and cherished may be lost if unchecked.
She said citizens did not need to go far to see where peace had been lost and that it would be difficult to restore it if solutions were not found.
The Chief Justice said Zambia had been known to be a country of peace and that democracy and human endeavour thrived in a peaceful atmosphere where citizens should be free to go about pursuing their dreams and careers.
She said this when she swore in members of the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence and the voting pattern in the High Court conference room yesterday.
“This is a very important assignment which will address an issue that has never been seen before since our independence, so please you have my blessings as you embark on this very important assignment.
“The whole country is looking up to you to come up with answers if there are any out there to establish what caused the electoral violence and voting pattern,” she said.
Ms Justice Mambilima said Zambia was unique in that it had about 70 tribes that had lived in peace from time immemorial to date.
Those sworn in are chairperson Judge Munalula Lisimba, his deputy Marvis Chisanga, secretary Nzomvwa Chomba, deputy secretary Mike Mulebi, Lastone Lupupa, High Court Registrar Charles Kafunda, Lee Habasonda, Reuben Lifuka and Mulenga Bwalya.
Others are Women in Law in Southern Africa director Maureen Samulela Tresha, Owen Sichone, Redson Nyanga, Flora Mooya and Wilfred Chiluba.
Senior Chief Ntambo was the only one who did not take oath.
The Commission of Inquiry has been tasked to inquire into the voting patterns between 2006 and 2016, and the root causes, and to examine the electoral violence before and after the elections within a period of 120 days.
