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{
    "id": 619445,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/619445/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 248,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Mbalu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 432,
        "legal_name": "Jessica N. Mbalu",
        "slug": "jessica-mbalu"
    },
    "content": "of the JSC never performed their duties as expected. As per the recommendations by the Committee, they should be answerable in law. They should tell the country where our money is, why the procurement process was not followed, why some bills were paid without the right documentation, why some laws were not followed and why some officers worked for their personal benefit. The Report has many findings including payment of allowances to individuals who were not supposed to be paid. The findings were shocking. A lot of money was looted. It was a scandal. As much as we want to fight corruption in this country, irregular recruitments were one of the findings that were very alarming to the PAC. Competence was not considered in the process of recruiting staff. Some members of staff were appointed and lifted from other offices. The institution was ran like a kitchen. There was no discipline. There was no adherence to any Act or law in all the activities including the interconnection between the Judiciary, the Chief Justice (CJ) and the JSC. A lot of money was looted. Most of the JSC Commissioners, as per the findings of the Report, benefitted in questionable ways. We inquired into why some procedures and laws were not followed and why this kind of ignorance was displayed. The Judiciary is a key organ of the State as the third arm of the Government, which is hinged in the theory of separation of powers. Indeed, the role of the Judiciary has featured in many thoughts of philosophers and scholars and it is a shame for such findings to be made on such an institution. It is a shame for the CJ, CRJ and Commissioners of the JSC not to act in the expected and respected way, which is by following the law. Some of the findings are very alarming. When you fail to adhere to the provisions of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, then we are staring at corruption. We rush to the Judiciary when we have any dispute. If the Judiciary is the most corrupt institution, then where are we headed to, as a country? We call upon the members of the Judiciary, CRJ and CJ to be answerable for their actions, face the law and explain to this country why some things happened. This is a detailed Report which any Member in this House should read. As a country, we have been in the limelight on matters of corruption. If corruption cannot be controlled from the Judiciary, then where else do we expect our country to go? The principles of recruitment should have been followed as dictated by Article 172(2) of the Constitution which requires transparency and competitiveness. This was lacking. As the third arm of the Government, the JSC cannot treat it like a kitchen. We expect the least acts of corruption and violation of the law in the Judiciary."
}