Kambwili cruel to the media, Lungu must reverse appointment – Chipenzi
Kambwili
Former Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) executive director, McDonald Chipenzi has condemned President Edgar Lungu for appointing Dr Chishimba Kambwili has Information, Broadcastings and Communication Minister.
Chipenzi, who is an electoral expert also described Kambwili’s previous term as Information Minister as the worst years of the media. He said most media houses have developed “Kambwiliphobia”.
“I condemn President Lungu for reappointing Kambwili to this ministry. President Lungu must revisit this appointment and put a more democratic person in that ministry,” Chipenzi said.
“Zambia has witnessed the worst harassment, intimidation, closures of media institutions during Kambwili’s stay at the Ministry of information and journalists and media owners have developed Kambwiliphobia in their operations compromising the independence of the media in Zambia.”
Meanwhile Chipenzi has said he will support Given Lubinda on the new Justice Portfolio. Lubinda who was appointed yesterday is the second non-lawyer to assume that office since independence.
“He is an open-minded, accessible and focused person the reason Kabwata Constituency is one of the best represented constituency in the country.
“I love the man, Lubinda, and am not hesitating to congratulate him for a well deserved appointment. You deserve it sir. I have known you for years and those days i knew you i saw fairness in you, good, listening and practical leadership in you, now that you are Minister of Justice, I hope you have not and will not change,” he said.
Meanwhile Canada-based Elias Munshya has congratulated Lubinda and predicted some tough decisions ahead. Munshya who is an international lawyer said the new constitution has alot of flaws and needs reviews and Lubinda as Justice Minister must work hard.
“Minister of Justice, Lubinda will be in charge of constitutional reforms, judicial appointments, legal bodies in the executive, and will be the political liaison between the judiciary and the executive. This ministry does have technical legal duties and is not purely political in nature. It is a position that requires some legal background.
“We will all have to watch and see how it all develops. With a constitution with so many holes, it might just make sense to have non-lawyer take care of reforms lawyers have failed to address when they served in the capacity,” Munshya said.