Claim
In a post by News Diggers Newspaper on their online news website on January 28, 2024, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is reported to have removed Judge Timothy Katanekwa from the office of Judge of the High Court of Zambia. The removal of the judge was also reported on various other news websites and social media platforms. According to a statement from the State House Chief Communications Specialist, Mr. Clayson Hamasaka to ZNBC, the President’s action was based on recommendations presented in a report to him by the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia can confirm as true that President Hichilema has removed Judge Timothy Katanekwa from office of Judge of the High Court of Zambia. According to an official press release obtained from the official State House Facebook page by iVerify Zambia, the President acted on the recommendation of the report presented to him by the Judicial Complaints Commission. In the statement, State House Chief Communications Specialist, Mr. Clayson Hamasaka, states that the President’s action is an exercise of the powers vested in the President in Article 144 (5) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. Article 144(5) of the Constitution states that “Where the Judicial Complaints Commission decides that an allegation based on a ground specified in Article 143(b), (c) and (d) is— (b) “substantiated, the Judicial Complaints Commission shall recommend, to the President, the removal of the judge from office and the President shall immediately remove the judge from office”. And Article 143 states that “A judge shall be removed from office on the following grounds: (b) incompetence; (c) gross misconduct; or (d) bankruptcy”.
