WE ARE A COUNTRY OF LAWS AND NOT OF MEN: RESPECT FOR THE COURTS BY ALL IS RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW BY ALL

By Sunday Chilufya Chanda

The conviction of Mr Gregory Chifire on four counts of contempt of court for interfering with the judiciary should serve as a stark reminder on the need for all to respect the courts.

The word “Contempt” in its ordinary every day usage denotes the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration.

In related legal parlance “Contempt” is the offence of being disobedient to or disrespectful of a court of law and its officers.

Contempt of court is thus contempt of the judiciary which is ultimately contempt for the rule of Law.

Respect for the Judicial authority vested in the courts is indispensable for the maintenance of the Rule of Law, and all regardless of political affiliation and socio-economic standing therefore have a duty to respect the independent decision-making authority of the Judiciary.

Sadly, there are certain individuals with political interests and agendas driven by arrogance, impetuosity, selfishness and greed that have made a sport of scandalising and belittling the courts. They will reap what they sow – it’s a natural and super natural ordinance.

These individuals have deliberately set themselves on a collision course with the law by pursuing political agendas inimical to the Judiciary. They think that being arrogant and anti-establishment makes them “champions” of sorts.

However, when the law catches up with them, they morph into wimps with a victim mentality as they whimper for attention. These misfits of law and order evidently appear to be allergic to tranquility and all that is orderly. They are at the end of the day twisted campaigners of anarchy.

It is a given that as citizens from different walks of life pursuing varied interests, we will not always agree with the decisions of the courts.

However, there are clear laid down procedures that provide for appropriate recourse in such circumstances.

Whatever the case, being eccentric, and having a willful disregard for the courts only breeds anarchy; we must all respect the courts of law.

Respect for the courts is respect for the rule of law. Respect for the rule of law is respect for our nation.

Anything else is an anarchy and contempt for Zambians.

As John Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America once said : “We are a nation of laws, not of men.”

The rule of law, at its most basic, means that the law applies to everyone equally. It cannot be over emphasised that it means no one is above the law - because we are a country of laws and not of men.

And, while the law may seem harsh, it is the law. 

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