THE Judiciary has lashed out at Hhukwini Member of Parliament Alec Lushaba after statements he made in Parliament.
According to the judiciary the time had come for it to face and take a closer look at the political mandate and agenda of the MP.
The Judiciary, in a statement released yesterday, rejected what it called false, misleading and far-fetched distortions made by Lushaba in Parliament on Wednesday.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
“We note with concern that the Honourable Member of Parliament has a tendency of attacking the Judiciary without probable cause with the sole intention of scoring political points and subject the Judiciary to ridicule.
The Judiciary understands that the Honourable Member of parliament attacks the Judiciary under the cover and guise of Parliamentary immunity,” reads part of the statement.
The judiciary argued that the MP made false and misleading statements to the effect that the Judiciary lied to the members of the public that the Master’s Commission of Inquiry was effectual, when according to him, nothing is being done.
Another statement, which, according to the judiciary, that Lushaba made was that the Judiciary lied to the public that the terms and conditions of the judicial officers were being attended to when, according to him, nothing is being done.
“To the contrary, the Judiciary has on many occasions informed and updated members of the public that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has completed taking oral submissions from judicial officers, and, that it is now deliberating and finalising recommendations to be submitted to the Honourable Minister for Finance in accordance with the Constitution,” reads the statement.
The judiciary stated that it has, on numerous occasions, informed the public that the Master’s Commission of Inquiry was receiving hundreds of oral submissions from members of the public, which required to be thoroughly analysed by the commission to produce a report.
The judiciary went on to call upon Lushaba to allow the commission to do its assignment without undue pressure and interference from him.
“The Judiciary, as a branch of government respects Parliament as another branch of government.
The Judiciary accepts constructive criticisms from Parliament intended to improve the welfare of the country as provided in the Constitution,” reads the statement.
According to the judiciary, Lushaba was making political insults and perpetrating a certain political agenda which they are rejecting.
“It is doubtful that he fully understands his mandate in Parliament.
The time has come for the Judiciary to face and take a closer look at the political mandate and agenda of the member of Parliament.
On the contrary we accept the constructive and positive submissions made by the mature and nation-building members of Parliament,” reads part of the statement. The judiciary states that it accepts parliamentary scrutiny on the expenditure of the Judiciary in accordance with the Constitution.
Another misleading allegation made by Lushaba, according to the statement, was that cases brought to courts are treated differently. According to the statement, on the contrary all cases registered by courts are treated in the same manner in accordance with the Constitution the legislation governing the courts and the various Rules of the Courts.
“The cases are allocated to the judges and magistrates in accordance with the Rules of Courts and dealt with in accordance with law. Lushaba may not know that cases are decided on the basis of the evidence presented in court and the applicable law before a judgment is issued.
Every case before court results in a judgment with reasons for the judgment,” reads the statement.
According to the statement, any litigant who is not satisfied with the judgment of the court has a legal remedy to appeal to an appellate court above it until the case reaches the Supreme Court, which is the final court in this country.
The judiciary advised that the MP should stop his political agenda and insults against it, lest the Judiciary considers the legal remedies available at its disposal to defend its reputation, including contempt proceedings. Lushaba asked not to comment on the matter.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
