Supreme Court refuses to suspend anti- Ansah protests
The Supreme Court of Appeal has refused to grant permission for suspension of the ongoing anti-Jane Ansah protests, saying there are better ways of dealing with criminality and violence.
The Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale sought an injunction restraining the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) from holding any demonstrations until they have financially compensated those who suffered damage to person or property during previous demonstrations.
But Justice Lovemore Chikopa, in his ruling refused to grant such an injunction against the protests.
“We will not grant them. Not because there has not been violence or criminality. Not because there is no possibility of criminality or violence.
“But because, there are in so far as the applications are premised on possible violence and criminality, better ways of dealing with violence and criminality,” says Chikopa.
He said for instance the police lack of resources the solution is not to stop demonstrations, saying it is to resource the police adequately.
“It is not enough in our view to just stand up and claim lack of resources. We think anybody can do that.
“Even more than the Inspector General should have gone on to show that such want of resources was though no fault of police service and that they up to this point done all they could retrieve the situation to no avail,” Chikopa said.
The Supreme Court judge said the issues raised by the Attorney General could have been raised before district commissioners or anyone acting on their behalf.
Chikopa said in case of not having been satisfied with the outcome from the district commissioners, the attorney general then could have gone to the High Court and eventually the Supreme Court.
“The fact that the Inspector General does not make reference to any meetings or discussions under Section 98 means that there were never any such interactions,” said Chikopa.
Chikopa said the Republican Constitution unconditionally gives the right of the people to demonstrate, saying the executive have therefore no powers to ban it or the executive cannot use the courts to ban the protests.
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And yet mzimayi uja nkumati I’m feeling anomal life..anthu akuwonongeledwa katundu , kumphedwa ndi zina zotelo chifukwa cha iye, iye nkumawoneka okondwa ndi onyadila, ufiti sungaponsele apayi, please Mr President how hard can be to convince your sisiter( ansah,) to step down for people’s sake?? You think people ar demonstrates for nothing? If you think that you won anelection clean, why udont proove it by doing what people are demanding??what you scared for??
Hope AG has been sat down for good this time around. Nanga tinene kuti pano apita nayo ku Hague? Just out of curiosity, does it mean the AG was not aware of the anticipated outcome? Is he really using his brains or someone is forcing him to do what he is doing. He may become irrelevant very soon if he is not aware.
I am feeling sorry for Kalekeni Kaphale, he is reduced to a 3rd year Law student not at Chanco ofcoz..hahah mpaka adakapita kwa DC kkkk DPP thinks they are above the law
Dear judges ( judiciary ) please don’t take any trash from dpp cadets —‘-they are confused right from the top to bottom —- God bless you !
I am always sad that some people resort to foul and abusive language; obviously because they have nothing constructive to offer. I have gone through Justice Chikopa’s ruling and most of what I read is nothing but logic. What this has to do with his personal appearance, as commented on by someone on this forum, is something I cannot understand.
It seems there is a New Strategy by the Powers that Be to Use the Courts inorder to minimise Freedom of Expression…We saw it with Banning of Phone in Programmes ,then Using the courts to stop Demostrations …How far will this go…Let’s address the Real Issues…Nepotism ,Corruption,DPP Cadres thinking they are above the law ,Quota System…All these have Contributed to the Anger we are seeing…Ndie Anyapapi ena kumamenyaso Anthu ku mademo…sikuwonjezera Moto kumeneko?
Long Live Your Lordship Justice Lovemore Chikopa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JUST JUST JUST IN COURT NO T-PEX
Nkhondo iyi siyathu… politicians both in ruling and opposition are the ones to benefit.. ma judgewo siziwakhuza ata! I only pray we should not see live bullets landing on some fresh!
Milomo yoffira yo Chikopa ukufuna msamiro eti
Ngati Ulibe mfundo ukhale chete iwe wokongola mumaonekedwe koma mu mutu muli Madzi amu toilet okha okha ntchito kuwetedwa ndi DPP ngati chiweto
Ukudxiwa kuti minibus ikhoza kukuponda lero lino? Watch your language