Zambia (Solwezi): Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa, represented by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Alex Pupe, on Tuesday attended the ceremonial opening of the Criminal Session of the High Court in Solwezi for the year 2024, which was held within the Subordinate Court premises.
North Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu, who officiated at the ceremony, called on Adjudicators to strive to be professional, ethical, efficient, and transparent and give no room to corruption and partiality in their dispensation of justice.
Minister Lihefu said the rule of law could not be attained without the defence of the fundamental human rights by the adjudicators for all the people accessing the justice system, hence the need for them to act in line with the judiciary mission statement.
He, however, thanked the Judiciary for the selfless spirit of serving the people by dispensing justice in a timely manner, as its mission is to provide effective and efficient administration of justice accessible to all Zambians without fear or favour.
The Provincial Minister also expressed his delight at the performance of the Judiciary in the disposal of cases in the year 2023 recorded in the North Western Province judiciary statistics, which indicate a success in the disposal of cases with 92.5% in criminal cases and 72.5% in civil cases.
He encouraged the province to continue on the same trajectory until a 100% disposal rate is attained.
Meanwhile, North Western Province Judge in Charge Justice Obister Musukwa expressed gratitude to the Government that through its devolution policy, High Court Resident Judges have been stationed in all the ten provincial headquarters across the country with the view of bringing justice closer to the people and reducing delays in the dispensation of justice.
His Lordship Judge Musukwa called on all adjudicators and staff in the province to desist from corruption as justice they are privileged to dispense to people is not for sale.