Africa-Press – Zambia. PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says Late Chief Justice Irene Mambilima served the country with diligence and impeccable integrity for 44 years in both public service and the justice sector.
And the President has urged girl children to emulate Justice Mambilima that they can be whatever they want if they put their minds to it. Speaking at the funeral of Justice Mambilima, President Lungu said her death is heart-breaking as she was fine when she departed for Egypt on official duties.
“When information reached me that she was unwell, i directed responsible departments to ensure that she was flown back home, including sending an aircraft and an air ambulance. unfortunately that was not to be and we lost her.
Indeed, a dark cloud is hanging on Zambia. We have lost great people in a very short space of time. we have lost former ministers; businessmen, health workers including, doctors,and ordinary people we might not call VIPs but indeed they all matter to me,” he said. He said in Justice Mambilima, Zambia has lost an icon of justice and a leading jurist.
“We have been left with a living memory of a true defender of the rule of law. justice Mambilima served her country with diligence and impeccable integrity for forty-four years in both public service and the justice sector. she lived a life of service right to the very end,” he said.
And President Lungu said justice Mambilima is a great example, especially among girls, that a young lady can be whatever she wants to be if she put your mind to it.
“Irene Mambilima was a girl raised in a humble community in in Lusaka at a time when the girl-child was disadvantaged as far as education was concerned.But she eluded those stereotypes, excelled at secondary school, studied law at university and rose to the highest office of the judiciary,” he said
President Lungu also commended the late justice for her experience and exemplary character when she presided over the 2006,2011 and 2015 general elections.
“Many people may have come to know about this gallant daughter of zambia when she chaired the electoral commission of zambia, and presided over the presidential and general elections in 2006, 2011 and 2015. these were hard fought for elections but justice mambilima’s experience and exemplary character prevailed.No wonder she became the first zambian female Chief Justice in February 2015,” he said. President Lungu has also thanked the President of Egypt for assistance rendered following the death of Justice Mambilima.
