MINISTER SLAMS CHONGWE FOR DISRESPECTING CONCOURT
IT
IS highly mischievous for former Justice Minister Rodger Chongwe to undermine the judgement of the Constitutional Court on President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility to contest 2021 elections, Lawyer and Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu has said.
Mr Zulu said the continued show of disrespect to court judgements was worrying.
He was reacting to Mr Chongwe’s sentiments that time was up for President Lungu to vacate office despite the court judgement in his favour.
Mr Zulu said the court judgement was very clear that President Lungu was eligible and that it was irresponsible for anyone to start personal attacks against President Lungu.
"I have noted this unbecoming tendency on the part of Dr.
Chongwe and State Counsel John Sangwa of personally attacking the President over the eligibility case," Mr Zulu said.
Mr Zulu said personal attacks should not be the replacement for failure to sustain a debate that had been settled by the court.
And Mr Zulu said allegations of bribes and the constitutional court judges not being qualified to handle Constitutional matters were unfortunate especially coming from a man of Mr Sangwa's stature for whom he said, he has had great respect throughout his legal career.
Mr Zulu said he was appalled by Mr Sangwa's statement which he said had potential to incite the public to rise against the Constitutional Court.
"Civility in debates requires that we debate ideas and not personalities, his suggestion that the constitutional court is corrupt is an attention seeking stunt aimed at inciting the public against the constitutional court," Mr Zulu said.
Mr Zulu said the court cannot respond to the public as they could only express themselves through judgements.
He said it was unfortunate that the
Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) had kept quiet while serious scorn is being thrown at the courts of Law.
Mr Zulu said the
Law Association of Zambia cannot sit back while serious scorn is being thrown on the courts.
"These personal attacks must stop. We can argue without being personal.
We cease to reason when we become petty and personal," he said.