Kabimba tribunal sworn in

ACTING Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda has said constituting a Tribunal to probe Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba for alleged breach of secrecy is a mark of Zambia’s growing democracy.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda said this yesterday when she swore in members of the Tribunal appointed to probe the alleged breach of secrecy by Mr Kabimba.
The four members are acting Supreme Court judge Evans Hamaundu, High Court judges Gertrude Chawatama and Justine Chashi, and deputy registrar of the Supreme Court Mathews Zulu, who would serve as Tribunal secretary.
Mr Justice Hamaundu would head the tribunal that was expected to start its sittings soon.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda said during the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Lusaka that constituting the Tribunal to probe Mr Kabimba was a sign of growing democracy in the country.
She told the members that they had been entrusted with a noble task of inquiring into matters stated in their letters of appointment.
“You have been entrusted with a very noble task of inquiring into matters stated in the letters of appointments.
“We are witnessing in Zambia growing democracy and the tenets of democracy have to be adhered to,” she said.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda last week appointed a Tribunal to probe Mr Kabimba over allegations that he abused his office and breached the
oath of secrecy.
This was after former Solwezi Central Member of Parliament Lucky Mulusa and civil rights activist Brebner Changala petitioned Ms Justice Chibesakunda to establish a Tribunal to investigate Mr Kabimba.
Mr Mulusa and Mr Changala wanted the Tribunal to state whether or not Mr Kabimba abused his office by using Government information rendered by Solicitor General Musa Mwenye to allegedly block parliamentarians whose seats had been nullified by the Supreme Court for engaging in corrupt practices, from re-contesting their seats.
Speaking shortly before the swearing-in ceremony, acting High Court  registrar and director of court operations Maka Chilombo-Phiri
informed Ms Justice Chibesakunda that the members charged with the responsibility of probing Mr Kabimba were present and ready to be sworn in.
Mr Justice Hamaundu and his team committed to faithfully, fully and impartially discharge the duties conferred upon them.

Source