President Lungu makes new Appointments at ECZ, ACC and Judicial Complaints Authority (JCA)

PRESIDENT Edgar Chagwa Lungu has appointed the Honourable Mr. Justice Esau Chulu as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) subject to ratification by the National Assembly.
This is according to a press statement issued by the Special Assistant to President for Press and Public Relation Amos Chanda and made available to Mwebantu New Media.
President Lungu has also appointed Ms. Emily Sikazwe and Mr. David Matongo as commissioners of the ECZ subject to ratification by the National Assembly. Justice Chulu is currently serving as a Commissioner on the ECZ. He will replace the Honourable Madam Justice Irene Mambilima who is now Chief Justice. Ms. Sikazwe will replace the late Ms. Minerva K. Tembo and Mr. Matongo will fill vacancy to be left by Justice Chulu.
“The two nominees are of high professional and personal integrity and I hope they will work towards enhancing the impeccable credentials of the Electoral Commission. Justice Chulu has distinguished himself very well during his current tenure as Commissioner and during his earlier career on the Bench,” the President said. “Ms. Sikazwe is a distinguished gender and governance activist and professional of high repute. Mr. Matongo is a well-known businessman and former lawmaker. I therefore have every confidence that my colleagues in Parliament will support the nominees.”
Other serving members of the Commission are the Honourable Mr. Justice Christopher Mushabati and Dr. Fredrick Ng’andu.
Meanwhile, the President has re-appointed Professor Patrick Mvunga, SC, as Chairperson of the Judicial Complaints Authority (JCA) with the Honourable Mr. Justice Christopher Mushabati and Lusaka lawyer Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis to continue as members. The Head of State has appointed the Honourable Mr. Justice Martin Munyinda Imasiku and former ACC Director- General Mr. Nixon Banda as new members of the JCA.
The President has also reappointed members of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) board as follows: Hon. Mr. Justice Timothy A. Kabalata as Chairperson; Dr. Steven P.C. Moyo (Vice Chairperson), and Pastor Godfrida Sumaili, Mr. Mpanzi Joubert Sinyangwe, and Mrs. Rollen Mukanda as commissioners.
The President has reminded the commissioners that corruption is a serious crime against development whose consequences are borne more by the by poor and vulnerable people.
“Bribes make basic services available only to those who are able to pay while huge corruption frauds are a cost to Government and undermine development. I want to make it clear that corruption is unacceptable in any form. There should be no selective application in how the ACC handles
cases of corruption,” the President said.
The Head of State has employed the ACC to deal effectively with corruption complaints; ensure greater transparency and accountability and provide services in local languages in order for the greater majority of the people to engage with the Commission. The Government will render every support the
ACC will need including the necessary legislation to consolidate the fight against corruption.

Deforestation and its effects on human activities and animal welfare.

By Hannah Nyirenda and Anderson Zulu

The rapid degradation of the forests woodland ecosystem is also of global concern and is increasingly at risk due to deforestation and encroachment on protected areas.

Therefore deforestation means clearing of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use.

Lottie Katebe is Petauke District Forestry Officer says due to the rapid increase in population in Zambia has resulted in an increased pressure on land, causing a substantial degradation of the forests and vegetation cover of the environment and a general decline in soil fertility.

Katebe notes that apart from the wooden poles local people in Petauke depend very much on the forest for energy requirements such as cooking and heating and because of this there is wood fuel deficit in these areas causing women and children to walk long distances in search of wood fuel. 

The District Forestry Officer says the impact of deforestation has resulted into global warming, drought, climate change and soil erosion.

Katebe explained that measure have been put in place to curb all perpetrators who are cutting down trees such as Mulombe, Pine, Mukwa and Mukula tress that are being cut indiscriminately.

Mukula tree a newly discovered specie of trees described as Zambia gold has seen its worse days in terms a number of people cutting this type of a tree.

Despite its medicinal properties, the tree is also being used for making gun bats, wooden interior décor for vehicles etc. 

Katebe however warns residents of Petauke to refrain from cutting down Mukula tree adding that once the culprits are caught the law will take its course.

He says Mukula tree internationally has scope the market as it is more valuable compared to other trees.

Despite various in terventionm government has put in place through law enforcing agencies, what are the police doing in Petauke? 

Robert Ngosa Petauke District Police Officer In charge charges that police will not sit idle but bring to book all perpetrators.

He has however advised timber traders to follow procedures if they are to cut down Mukula trees.

He has warned residents of Petauke to refrain from cutting down Mukula tree and that those without license the law will take its action.

Ngosa says once the culprit has been detained, the court will sentence an individual according to the number of logs. 

The authors of this article are members of the Children’s News Agency (CNA) Petauke Bureau. cnazambia@gmail.com