Lusaka, 8th April 2021– In the continuous efforts to provide access to justice for all, the Judiciary today witnessed a countrywide swearing in of 31 newly appointed Magistrates Class III.
The objective of the exercise is to ensure that all courts are staffed with adjudicators, as well as to increase the numbers of adjudicators in areas which are inadequately staffed. The milestone move will result in the deployment of some of the newly appointed magistrates to areas such as Chavuma and Lufwanyama, which previously did not have Magistrates at all. Other areas such as Nyimba and Chama will see the reintroduction of Magistrates to the districts which have been operating without Subordinate Courts for close to 10 years.
In her congratulatory remarks the Hon. Judge-in-Charge at Lusaka, Hon. Mrs. Justice Gertrude C. Chawatama reminded the Magistrates that the Judiciary does not operate in isolation, and as such, there is need to exercise utmost integrity as they execute their duties. She emphasized the importance of upholding the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance taken by the Magistrates as they serve the people of Zambia who come from different walks of life.
Justice Chawatama expressed her faith in the competencies of the magistrates and cautioned them against falling prey to corruption and other vices that erode public confidence in the justice system.
