By Peter Sinkamba

DPP: Just Wasting Time at JCC

JCC has adjourned the DPP Siyunyi hearing.

According the Daily Nation, Dmduring the hearing, Ms Siyunyi raised a preliminary issue through her lawyer, Mr Abraham Mwansa SC, former Solicitor General, stating that she was appearing before the JCC as DPP of Zambia and as such she should be represented by the Attorney General who was the Government Chief Legal Advisor.

The excuse raised is fake. When Judges appear before JCC, they are not represented by the Attorney General. They either represent themselves in person or hire lawyers to represent them.

However, the practice has been that the Attorney General appear merely as just an interested party.

The reason for the AG appearing as an interested party is simple: a judge or DPP appears before JCC for in their personal capacity either for gross misconduct or incompetence. Gross misconduct includes allegations of bribery, corruption. Honestly, why should AG defend such acts?

I will be shocked if in its ruling on the application, the JCC will depart from its precedents.

I repeat: its not too late for the DPP Siyuni to resign. She will immensely save her face if she resigned, than be fired. Legal gymnastics will not save her. We have been there before, and have fair understanding of the JCC modus operandi.
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