.Lubinda                                                                                                  Munkombwe

By CHARITY MOONGA –

PARLIAMENT has ratified the appointment of Musa Mwenye as Attorney General and Abraham Mwansa as Solicitor General.
During debate on Thursday evening, Kabwata Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) Given Lubinda, in moving the motion, said Mr Mwenye had distinguished himself as a good legal practitioner who was experienced and was a person of high integrity throughout his career.
Mr Lubinda said Mr Mwenye’s experience was unquestionable and there was no legal basis to disqualify him.
On Mr Mwansa, Mr Lubinda said there were no adverse reports on him, neither were there contrary views about him except that he had been an active member of the Patriotric Front (PF).
He said witnesses contacted by the Parliamentary Committee to scrutinise the presidential appointments expressed worry that Mr Mwansa would be biased towards the ruling party but these were allayed by the appointing authority who assured that this would not be the case.
Mr Mwansa also informed the committee that he was a non-partisan person and would carry out his duties diligently.
In seconding the motion, Mafinga MMD MP Catherine Namugala said the two nominees were mature, experienced and qualified individuals to assume their new roles which were critical to the good governance in the country.
She urged Mr Mwenye and Mr Mwansa to exhibit confidence, impartiality and independence in line with the operations of their offices.
Monze UPND MP Jack Mwiimbu called for the office-bearers to provide proper guidance to the Government, especially as regards to issues of enacting the new Constitution and the Public Order Act.
The motion was opposed by Solwezi West MMD MP, Humphrey Mwanza who accused Mr Mwansa of being a PF cadre who would not objectively give guidance to the Government or ordinary Zambians.
Youth and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili said there was no problem with Mr Mwansa being a PF member because even the late former vice-president George Kunda was an MMD member but still held the position of attorney general.
Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe said there was no one who was politically neutral and advised members not to narrow themselves into regions.