UPND provincial chair attacks ex-president Lungu, defends Hichilema’s sack of constitutional judges

UPND North Western Province Chairperson, Adam Sapezo, has criticised former president Edgar Lungu, accusing him of engaging in “dirty politics” despite his status as a former leader.

In a statement issued in Solwezi on Wednesday, Sapezo urged Lungu to embrace mature, fact-based politics rather than what he described as “figments of his disillusioned imagination.”

Sapezo claimed that while hiding under his immunity as a former president, Lungu had been directing attacks at President Hakainde Hichilema, who, according to Sapezo, had worked tirelessly to correct the missteps of the Patriotic Front government.

He questioned Lungu’s reaction to the suspension of three Constitutional Court judges, which was recommended by the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).

The suspended judges—Anne Sitali, Palan Mulonda, and Mungeni Mulenga—face accusations of gross misconduct and incompetence.

“President Hichilema acted within his constitutional powers by suspending the judges following JCC recommendations. This is a normal legal procedure,” Sapezo stated.

He expressed dismay over Lungu’s apparent support for the judges despite the accusations, questioning whether Lungu’s leadership condoned incompetence and misconduct.

Sapezo further suggested that Lungu’s defense of the judges could imply that they were acting under his influence during his presidency and challenged whether Lungu believed the judges were beyond reproach.

“President Hichilema has made it clear that his leadership is guided by the rule of law, with an independent judiciary and governance based on equality before the law,” Sapezo said.

He dismissed Lungu’s criticisms as baseless and aimed at undermining the confidence Zambians have placed in Hichilema’s administration.

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