PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says the Patriotic Front will not sanction any mass mobilizations for solidarity of any sort at the court grounds, as the party respects the rule of law.

In a statement, Tuesday, Mwila said the PF disapproved of any statements or behaviors that seek to undermine the independence and integrity of the Judiciary.

“I have noted with concern, distorted messages by some political commentators that the Patriotic Front (PF) is threatening the independence of the judiciary. The Patriotic Front wishes to state that it disapproves of any behavior or statements that undermines the independence and integrity of the Judiciary and would therefore not support any form of mobilization or utterances that may be seen to suggest that,” he stated.

Mwila guided party members that all matters that were before the courts of law should be left in the hands of competent authorities who were lawfully assigned to handle such matters.

He added that the PF respects the rule of law.

“The PF respects the rule of law and therefore wishes to guide its members that all matters that are before the courts of law must be left in the hands of competent authorities who are lawfully assigned to handle such matters. In the light of our uncompromising commitment to the rule of law and respect for the sanctity of the judiciary; and in view of the prevailing public health emergency due to Covid-19, the Patriotic Front will not sanction any mass mobilizations for solidarity of any sort at the court grounds as such actions can not only put the lives of our people and others at risk of contracting the deadly Coronavirus but would also send a very conflicting message with regards to our commitment to respect for the independence of the judiciary,” Mwila stated.

He further stated that the party respects the separation of powers among the three arms of government as highlighted in the PF Manifesto.

“The PF strongly believes in the separation of powers between and among the three organs of the state, that is, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. And as the Party in Government, the PF takes keen interest in how the Executive in particular, represents the Party’s Manifesto position on this matter. As you will note, our 2021-26 Manifesto reinforces our belief in the sanctity of the judiciary as an integral part of Zambia’s democratic enterprise,” he stated.

And Mwila assured the general public full cooperation with stakeholders.

“Therefore, the PF assures the general public that it will work with all stakeholders including the Law Association of Zambia to uphold the tenets of our democracy including the independence of the judiciary,” stated Mwila.

On Saturday, PF Lusaka Province chairperson Kennedy Kamba directed all party structures and party cadres to be present at the Constitutional Court for the hearing of President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility case.

“Just allow me to talk about this issue of John Sangwa petitioning the eligibility of the President. I know that matter is before the courts. As the party, let me put it very clear that we are not happy and we are going to treat him as a politician. These now are politics. As far as we are concerned our candidate is eligible, the highest court in the land of Zambia has ruled in favour of our candidate Edgar Chagwa Lungu. As the party let me appeal to all our party structures in Lusaka to come in numbers, whichever day the matter is coming up, I am appealing to all members of the party in Lusaka to come in numbers so that we defend our President Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” said Kamba.