THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is upset with the incessant attacks on the chief justice by opposition leaders - Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema over his directive that a panel of three judges hears the appeal case for Regina Chiluba.

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader Sata and his United Party for National Development (UPND) counterpart, Hichilema have been attacking Chief Justice Ernest Sakala for directing that a panel of three judges be appointed to hear the appeal against the conviction of second Republican president Fredrick Chiluba's wife Regina.

Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, LAZ president Stephen Lungu said it was unfair that the opposition was attacking the chief justice, considering that the directive was according to the provisions of the law.

Mr Lungu said the attacks on the chief justice would have been justified if he had violated the law but in this case, he acted within the confines of the laws.

"I have read the articles about the attacks on the chief justice, it is a very unfortunate situation. We are quite upset that such attacks can be attributed to the opposition leaders," Mr Lungu said.

He said section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) Cap 88 of the Laws of Zambia allowed the chief justice to appoint a panel of three judges whenever he deemed it fit and therefore, the constant attacks were undermining the credibility of the judiciary.

"The Constitution allows the chief justice to appoint three judges whenever he considers it fit. It is dangerous for the opposition to continue attacking the judiciary because it is eroding the credibility and the people's confidence in the judiciary," Mr Lungu said.

He wondered why Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema could continue attacking the chief justice when the two opposition leaders would also one day appear before the same judiciary when aggrieved.

As such, he said the two leaders and the citizens in general should desist from attacking the judiciary, as they too would one day appear before the same judges that they were today unnecessarily attacking.

"The politicians should have confidence in the judiciary because it is the same judges that they will go to if they have a case in court," Mr Lungu said.

United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota said he was restrained from commenting on the matter because there were currently contempt of court proceedings against Mr Hichilema over his attacks on the judiciary.

"As far as I know there are contempt proceedings against Mr Hichilema regarding his comments on the judiciary and so I do not want to comment because I may be cited for contempt," Mr Sikota said.

And the Government has said Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema should stop attacking the judiciary and allow it to work independently and professionally.

Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said the statements by the two leaders were meant to intimidate the judiciary and the chief justice.

Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha said in a statement yesterday that there was no collusion between President Banda and the judiciary in the dispensation of justice in the country contrary to allegations by Mr Sata and Mr Hichilema.

"No one has evidence that President Banda had a hand in the acquittal of Dr Chiluba. The president cannot therefore be under any pressure nor have a troubled conscience, as being falsely touted by PF leader Michael Sata over the acquittal of the former president," the statement reads in part.

Gen Shikapwasha said there was no need for anyone to discredit the Judiciary when the same people making these statements would need protection from the courts of law.

With regards to reports that Mr Sata addressed the police in Solwezi, Gen Shikapwasha, said the action was also aimed at controlling and intimidating the police.

He said no political authority should address the police saying those with complaints should present their grievances to the commanding officer at the police station.