Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile has called on Zambians to respect judges, as the Judiciary is ‘The Third Estate’ in the governance of the country.
Mr. Mundubile, a PF Presidential Candidate, said this as a result of false speculations recently of published reports, that Mongu High Court Judge, Wifred Muma had attempted to commit suicide.
He said, Judge Muma’s body was not found and yet some people said that he had committed suicide.
“As a people, we have to think deeply around this because it has raised a lot of suspicion because there are people that were very sure that Judge Muma would be found dead somewhere,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said some sections of society were sure of Judge Muma’s demise as reported that he had committed suicide.
Recently, Mongu High Court Judge Wilfred Muma is alleged to have been rescued from the Zambezi River after what police described as attempted suicide.
“As a Legal Practitioner, myself, I feel duty bound to comment on stories surrounding Judge Muma. This whole matter should have been handled better starting with investigations and if at all he needed to appear in court. We are not dealing with an ordinary person but a Judge of the High Court,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said Judge Muma was an individual, who on behalf of the State, convicted a number of dangerous criminals making the State duty bound to give him protection at all times.
“If at all the allegations against this individual who at the same time is a judge, there is a way that such matters can be handled so that should he be found innocent, he should be able to assume his position and discharge his functions with diligence and respect from those appearing before him,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said from the way that the matter has been handled, it was as if Judge Muma had already been judged, and the matter determined and found guilty.
“It is as if those that are handling his matter believe that he would not go back to the bench and practice law. We are at a time when we have to respect the Judiciary of Zambia,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile called on stakeholders to respect judges because of the distinguished role they play in upholding Zambia’s Constitutional Democracy.
“We were surprised to wake up to the news that Judge Muma had committed suicide. The source of that information was very strange especially to us that are close to him. We wondered where that source of information was coming from. To date, we don’t know where that source of information came from. That has raised a lot of suspicion,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile added that, this was a scheme to intimidate Judges to erode their independence and impartiality in the discharge of their functions.
“We expect that government will take it up seriously to institute investigations and explain to Zambians why there was falsehood that has continued to torment Judge Muma and his family. If at all the investigative wings would get to the bottom of this to know why some people would want to harm Judge Muma,” he said.
