THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has condemned some UPND members who have asked Director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Siyunyi to resign within 48 hours.

In a statement, Thursday, LAZ honorary secretary Sokwani Chilembo said the ruling party should take the lead in assuring the country that the rule of law would be respected.

“LAZ condemns, in the strongest terms possible, calls by some senior officials and cadres of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs Lillian Fulata Shawa-Siyuni, SC to resign and giving her a purported 48 hours ultimatum to do so, failing which protests are threatened. The Rule of Law demands observance of the law in the conduct of public affairs by everyone. The ruling party is no exception and must take the lead in assuring the country that the Rule of Law will be respected. The fact that the calls threatening the DPP are also echoed by persons holding leadership positions in the UPND, greatly concerns LAZ,” he stated.

Chilembo said it was important for UPND officials, cadres or any citizen to follow the Constitutional provisions, and not resort to intimidating a Constitutional officeholder.

He stated that LAZ has since written to the UPND Secretary General expressing its concern over the matter.

“The DPP is a Constitutional officeholder whose tenure is guaranteed up to retirement age of 60 years by the provisions of Article 182 of the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2016, unless she resigns out of her own volition or is removed in line with the provisions of Article 144 of the Constitution on the grounds stipulated in Article 143, which include mental or physical disability making her incapable of performing judicial functions, incompetence or gross misconduct. It is extremely important for the UPND officials, cadres or any citizen to follow the Constitutional provisions, and not resort to intimidating a Constitutional Officeholder,” stated Chilembo.

“Democratic principles can only be entrenched in the country if Constitutional Officeholders, such as the DPP, are allowed to perform their functions without fear or favour, devoid of any intimidation. LAZ has since written to the Secretary General of the UPND expressing its concern over the matter, and calling on him to immediately redress the situation within his ranks in order to prevent the breakdown of the Rule of Law. We also urge the public to respect constitutional provisions, and not spearhead violation of the Constitution.”