Judiciary unveils service charters
“So let’s root out the dead wood starting with permanent secretaries as controlling officers going downwards, so I expect this exercise to start immediately! We have to sit down retire some the heads of departments and indeed don’t transfer people who are incompetent or indiscipline because they simply contaminate and cross effecting the civil service,” said president Lungu.
He was speaking during the swearing in ceremony of Dr. Simon Miti as secretary to the cabinet following his ratification by 1arliament at State House Thursday morning.
President Lungu said he expected Dr. Miti to understand the civil service can be improved given his track record in the civil service.
The president also said he expected Dr Miti to ensure government programmes and projects were implemented on time.
Meanwhile the president said he is aware of what
Dr. Miti went through the culture of misrepresentation and falsehoods yet he was innocent.
He said if the culture of misrepresentation and falsehoods continue, civil servants would find it difficult to execute their functions for fear of their reputation will be destroyed.
Dr. Miti has served in three different political administrations the civil service. 7+( MuGiciDr\ oI =DPEiD is re Gefining its serYice
delivery to the public by being transparent and accountable in its operations through online and printed distribution of information to members of the SuElic to Ireel\ reDG on court SroceGure &hieI -ustice
Irene Mambilima has said.
Justice Mambilima said this during the launch of the service charters for the High Court, Subordinate Court and Small Claims Court at the Supreme Court ground yesterday.
She said due diligence and consultation had been undertaken in coming up with those Service Charters.
Justice Mambilima said the Charters contain minimum legal jargon so that even an ordinary person in society could easily understand the contents.
“Information on court processes and procedures is now being put in the public domain through efforts such as this one, where we are distributing printed and online materials to members of the public to freely read on court procedures. “There has been an increase in people bringing matters to court. The Small Claims Court for instance, has proved a huge success for recovery of small debts as people now know and trust the court processes and have redress,” Justice Mambilima said.
Justice Mambilima recognised the efforts of the judiciary committee, headed by Justice Jones Chinyama in conjunction with Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) and the Anti-Corruption Commission in comping and simplifying information contained in the charters.
And TIZ president Reuben Lifuka through board member Annie Chewe said corruption in the justice system whether actual or perceived, posed a real threat to confidence in the rule of law.
Dr Chewe said TIZ therefore welcomed all efforts to make the judiciary a model for integrity and transparency in the country.