Judge Chikopa’s role stirs controversy in Zambia
Chikopa in an interview before his departure said he communicated to his boss Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo and Chief Secretary to Government Bright Msaka and both had no problems and gave him a go-ahead.
The Zambian leader on April 30 announced suspension of the three, Supreme Court judge Philip Musonda and High Court judges Charles Kajimanga and Nigel Mutuna, over their alleged professional misconduct.
But the opposition political parties in Zambia are against the appointment of Chikopa, arguing he is junior to chair the tribunal and investigate a supreme court judge and that his role would be compromised because the Zambian Government recently donated fuel to Malawi.
Chikopa declined to comment on the discontent surrounding his appointment in Zambia.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakahinde Hicilema told a privately owned Muvi TV in a live programme, The Assignment, Sunday evening that Sata was strategic in the appointment of Chikopa.
Hicilema said Sata wants to protect “his friends†who are respondents to a civil case involving the Development Bank of Zambia as complainant and The Post Newspapers Limited and that country’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Ntchito.
UPND leader claimed the results of the tribunal are predetermined as they are aimed at punishing the three judges for ruling against “Sata’s friends†in a matter the bank dragged to court The Post Newspapers Limited and Ntchito.
Hicilema claimed the process to appoint the tribunal was flawed as Sata did not go through Judiciary Complaints Authority and that he went for a Malawian judge, fully aware that he would handle the matter in Sata’s favour by crucifying the three judges because the Zambian government donated fuel to Malawi recently.
