RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
The following information has been updated from websites across the Commonwealth.
THREE JUDGES SUSPENDED IN ZAMBIA
In
early May 2012, three judges were suspended in Zambia including
the President of the Magistrates and Judges Association
of Zambia, Justice Philip Musonda. The other two judges
were Justice Kajimanga, and Judge Nigel Mutuna. They were
suspended for misconduct and/or acting incompentently in
the Development Bank of Zambia -v- PCN Holdings, Post Newspapers
and Mutembo Nchito. The CMJA is monitoring the situation
as the procedures as neither due process nor the Latimer
House process seems to have been followed. Further information
on the current situation in Zambia can be found at:
http://www.zambianwatchdog.com
COMMONWEALTH MINISTERIAL ACTION GROUP
(CMAG)
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group met on 13 April and discussed the situation
in Fiji and the Maldives. The full statement can be viewed at:
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/246248/160412cmag.htm
JOYCE BANDA TAKES OVER AS PRESIDENT MALAWI
Following the sudden death of the former President of Malawi Bingu wa Mutharika at
the beginning of April, Deputy President, Joyce Banda took over as President of the Republic of Malawi.
Joyce Banda is the wife of former CMJA President and former Chief Justice, Richard Banda. She becomes
the third woman President in Africa and the first in Southern Africa. Further information is available
on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17644009
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The CMJA has been closely monitoring the
situation in Papua New Guinea following the arrest of the
Chief Justice in February 2012 and the passing of legislation
which affects the independence of the judiciary.
See Commonwealth Secretary General's statement
of 24 May 2012 at: www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/247319/240512sgpng.htm
See also:
PNG Court Oversight Bill Passed By Parliament: http://pidp.org/pireport/2012/April/04-20-14.htm
The Commonwealth Secretary General issued
a statement on Papua New Guinea urging them to respect the
rule of law: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/press/34580/34582/246132/050412png.htm
SOUTH AFRICA
The CMJA has been closely monitoring the situation in South Africa following the announcement
that the government was to review the Constitutional Court Judgements.
George Bizos has expressed his concerns at the suggestion, http://www.iol.co.za/news/special-features/bizos-slams-review-of-courts-1.1266917
and Dr Loamni Wolf has expressed her concerns in two articles which have appeared on Legal Brief Today:
Minister Radebe's tender to assess judgments unconstitutional
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=2012040709025828
Judicial reforms: socialism or constitutionalism?:
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20120410090541384
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