By BRIAN HATYOKA –
ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has said the provision of adequate judicial conditions of service played a key role to attract and retain qualified judges and persons of integrity.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda said judges needed appropriate remunerations that ensured that they did not resort to other activities to supplement their welfare.
She said this in Livingstone on Monday when she presented her keynote speech to the 18th Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) annual conference.
“Here I am talking about salaries sufficient enough to support our lives and our families without necessarily resorting to other sources of income that may potentially affect the independence of judgment.
“Security of tenure is also a key factor in ensuring Personal Judicial Independence. Promotion to higher ranks in the judiciary is another important factor,” she said.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda also said the protection and promotion of individual magistrates or judges’ independence must also be considered.
“The question is, do we enjoy adequate protection from personal security threats? The protection provided by the police in many of our judiciaries is fraught with inadequacies and limited, and generally restricted to judges only.
“So the constitution and any other legislation must generically guarantee all these,” she said.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda also said the process of selecting and appointment of judges including magistrates should be considered in line with the candidate’s integrity, independence of judgment, professional competence, and commitment to uphold the rule of law.