Speaker of National Assembly Hon Dr Patrick Matibini, MP SC has said democracy thrives when citizens are enlightened. He said this on Wednesday 23^rd September at Parliament Buildings when Members of the Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission paid a courtesy call on him.

Dr Matibini mentioned that democracy could only thrive in a country where the citizens are politically enlightened. He cited the constituency offices as some of the focal places which could be used for civic education, human rights education to mention but a few. He appealed for more institutional support and investment in constituency offices in order to avoid them turning into white elephants.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioners, Mr Abraham Mwansa, SC, Solicitor General and Vice Chairperson of the Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission said they had decide to pay a courtesy call on the Hon Mr Speaker to introduce themselves and the terms of reference for the Commission. He further said they also sought an audience to engage the Members of Parliament in any burning issues when need arose. Mr Mwansa was accompanied by other Commissioners who included Mrs Irene Lamba, Mr Geoffrey Sakulanda, Mr Enoch Mulembe, Dr Ernest Beele, Mr Lee Habasonda, Mr Collins C Lundah and Mrs Doris N Chibombe.

The Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission was constituted in 2014 in pursuant of the Inquiries Act, Chapter 41 of the Laws of Zambia. The mandate of the Commission is to undertake a comprehensive public inquiry into the state of the Legal and Justice Sector in Zambia and recommend appropriate reforms that will ensure a more efficient, affordable, accessible, accountable, fair and responsive legal and justice sector.