By EMILY KUWEMA –
FORMER Chief Justice Ernest Sakala has said the Zambian judiciary is independent and operates without any undue influence from any arm of the Government.
Justice Sakala who has 35 years of experience in the judiciary said all verdicts of the courts are made independently after careful study and analysis without any interference from anyone.
Mr Sakala emphasised that the seed of juridical autonomy and independence was also in the attitude of individual judges.
“In 2000, I did a study on judicial autonomy and independence, realities and challenges. I clearly stated that the independence of the judiciary was also in the attitude of individual judges,” Mr Sakala said.
He was speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia when he transited to Congo DR to lead the SADC election Observer mission in that country.
This is according to a statement issued yesterday by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at Zambia’s Embassy in Ethiopia Inutu Mwanza.
Mr Sakala was appointed by President Edgar Lungu who is chair of the SADC organ of Politics, Defence and security to head the SADC election Observer Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) scheduled for December 23, this year
Justice Sakala said the SADC Elections observer Mission would ensure that the polls in the Democratic Republic of Congo followed SADC principles and standards of elections.
