Open Letter to the Chief Justice Hon. Mumba Malila
Subject: A Call for True Transparency: Broadcasting the Entire Judicial Process of the Eligibility Case of Former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu
Dear Honorable Chief Justice Mumba Malila,
I write this letter with a profound sense of responsibility as a concerned citizen, representing the views of countless well-meaning Zambians who have been deeply invested in the eligibility case of former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu. This case, which has been brought before the Constitutional Court multiple times, is not just a legal matter; it is a matter of national importance that strikes at the very heart of our democracy, constitutional integrity, and public trust. Citizens across our nation deserve to understand the evidence and constitutional debates that have compelled this case to be revisited for the fifth time.
Our nation’s commitment to democracy, accountability, and constitutional integrity rests on the foundation of transparency. We believe that a transparent judicial process is not a privilege but a fundamental right of every Zambian. However, the decision to televise this case only at the judgment stage, while excluding the entire judicial process from public view, is a blatant departure from the principles of transparency, accountability, and democratic integrity that our constitution and democracy stand for.
Transparency Is the Lifeblood of Our Democracy
Many Zambians were eager to observe the arguments, witness the exchange of evidence, and follow the legal debates that have shaped this case. These proceedings are not merely about reaching a verdict; they are about seeing justice in action, understanding how evidence is examined, how arguments are presented, and how constitutional principles are debated and upheld. Citizens deserve the opportunity to witness these critical elements to form informed opinions about the legitimacy, fairness, and constitutionality of decisions that shape our nation’s future.
By televising only the final judgment, we are denied the full context necessary to evaluate the integrity and fairness of the process. This fragmented approach fosters confusion, breeds misinformation, and erodes public confidence in our judicial system. It raises troubling questions: Are we prioritizing transparency and justice, or are we prioritizing secrecy and political interests?
A Transparent Process Strengthens Public Trust and Accountability
The arguments, testimonies, counterpoints, and deliberations presented before the Constitutional Court are not just legal exchanges; they are educational moments for our citizens. Broadcasting these elements in their entirety would empower Zambians with a deeper understanding of our legal and constitutional landscape. Such transparency would cultivate a more informed and engaged citizenry, strengthen our democratic culture, and reinforce the accountability of public officials. It would also ensure that our judiciary serves not just as a legal body but as a true guardian of justice and fairness, genuinely committed to serving the interests of the people.
Hiding these crucial deliberations only invites speculation, misinformation, and distrust — factors that are poisonous to democracy, social cohesion, and national unity. We must ask ourselves: In whose interest are these decisions being made? Is this about safeguarding public trust and accountability, or is it about protecting certain individuals or interests at the cost of transparency and fairness?
Justice Must Be Seen, Understood, and Trusted
Justice is not a matter of outcomes alone; it is about the process that brings us to those outcomes. We must see arguments made, evidence scrutinized, and decisions carefully deliberated before the courts. This transparency would instill a stronger sense of trust in our institutions, uphold democratic accountability, and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to fairness, equality, and justice.
I respectfully and urgently urge Your Honor, Chief Justice Mumba Malila, to reconsider the decision to televise this case solely at the judgment stage. In the interest of transparency, public trust, and democratic integrity, we request that future national-interest cases be broadcast not only at the judgment stage but throughout the entirety of the proceedings.
Sincerely,
Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
Foolishness is her hobby. I think she needs to be caged this rogue female….
Which party does she belong to or who is behind her rantings and ravings???
Cannot interpret data!! If this is a sample of Zambian intelligentia, God help us!!!
Isn’t it obvious, it’s PF she’s one of the propagandists
It’s actually bwamba’s alias solola. You can tell from the rantings
This girl is uncultured.
Is she implying that televising proceedings at this stage should not be allowed because the other preceding proceedings were not televised?
Why didn’t you advocate for the television of the case at the initial stage if you felt so dearly about it? Can you refuse to have supper just because you didn’t have lunch?
Just for it to be revisited more than once before means something has not been handled properly and multiple revisit by the same pf government that caused it to even come to life. A case adjudicated correctly never returns in a court room again. So let’s see if it ll be judged according to the best and honest translation of these three words sworn in twice or held office twice. Otherwise just go bitch at the bar not judicial procedure.
Fed with rot.
She is over stepping.
Where does she belong if she continues?
Rubbish and stinky write up.
Remember that it was not meant to be anyway. So the little is still a good starting point.
To argue that the eligibility case should not be beamed live because the earlier proceedings were not is being mischievous. At the time the case started, the mechanisms for beaming cases of public interest were not in place. So how do you suggest it is effected retroactively?
This is a case of half a loaf being better than nothing. We can’t turn back the clock and beam the earlier proceedings but we can witness the final part of the case live now that the requisite protocols are in place. Or is this Ketis suggesting that the judgement be postponed until she has reviewed all the prior proceedings?
Emmanuel Mwamba just give up, western through you