Kabimba fails to guarantee a new constitution by 2016, insists PF is tribal and he is not untouchable
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba says he cannot guarantee that Zambia will have a new constitution by the time it goes for a scheduled general election in 2016.
And Mr Kabimba says he stands by his statement issued at the height of the confusion in the PF that the party was drifting into tribal politics and that it was the most indisciplined party in the political history of Zambia.
In a wide ranging interview on ZNBC TV Sunday evening, Mr Kabimba said he could not commit himself to a date or period when a new constitution will be enacted because he does not know.
“I cannot guarantee that we will have a new constitution by 2016, what I can say is that there is a chance. This chance is also dependent on the roadmap,” Mr Kabimba said.
Asked further by the Presenter Grevazio Zulu as why Government cannot guarantee a new constitution by 2016 since it is the one controlling the roadmap governing the work of the technical committee, Mr Kabimba said his hands are tied.
He added, “We are in charge of the roadmap yes because we are the ones governing this nation. Who else do you expect to govern this process apart from government? Until the final draft is handed over to Government, 31 December is a week away and I have not received any notification that the technical committee that they are ready to hand over on the 31st December, so how do I give you a roadmap beyond that? I can’t Sir, my hands are tied.”
Mr Kabimba also took a swipe at members of the civil society and the Church for championing the issue of the constitution making process.
“I don’t think that any group of stakeholders has every right to champion the cause of others without giving them an opportunity to participate or to purport to speak on their behalf.” This issue of trying to appear that some people are more champions of the constitution than others is what I don’t subscribe to,” Mr Kabimba said.
He added, “I got a letter from some civil society organisation a few weeks ago demanding that the final draft document be presented to President Sata in the presence of the general public at the Freedom Statue on Independence Avenue at Kamwala. Now I find that insulting to His Excellency President Michael Sata because surely, the President has an office and you want him to receive the document at Kamwala. As Zambians, please let us respect the Office of the Presidency.”
On the referendum, Mr Kabimba insisted that the question of whether Zambia will go to a referendum will be decided upon after the final draft constitution is released.
“The issue of the referendum is dependent on the format of the draft constitution, let me give you a hypothetical question, if the draft constitution is released and everyone is happy with it, do we need a referendum? The answer is no! Suppose we are happy with it then we won’t need a referendum, right? Why are we even having this “mix in the pot” about the referendum? This is our programme as the PF and we are not in breach of the covenant with the Zambians on the constitution.
Mr Kabimba said the argument he is trying to fight is that Government has no right to participate in the constitution making process or that its participation prejudices the process.
“How do you take the 5,000 copies of the final draft to State House? The 10 copies requested are for presentation purposes only to State House and I don’t remember President Sata or anyone of my colleagues having made a statement that we will present the final document simultaneously. We are committed to this process as part of our governance programme we took to the people during campaigns.”
Asked on the recent infighting in the PF which saw his position as Secretary General petitioned, Mr Kabimba said the wrangles in the party were a result of infiltrators from the opposition.
“What had happened was that after winning the general elections, PF became more attractive and everybody wanted to join and we welcomed the defectors but we didn’t realize that they were bringing bad politics to the PF. I can assure you without mentioning names that none of our loyal members took part in those street protests. What you saw were men and women from the streets who came to cause confusion but they failed lamentably,” Mr Kabimba said.
He also denied assertions that he is untouchable in the PF and that he belongs to the A-Team.
“Well, Am not untouchable and I don’t know about any A-Team in the PF and where it is. What I can tell you is that am just a member who offered to contribute to the PF and I think my contributions have helped to get this party to where it is today. Am not saying am the best Secretary General, am not saying am the Best Lawyer or the best husband. They have been Secretary General’s before me and there will be more Secretary Generals after me who will even be far much better than me, with all due respect to my colleagues with all humility, am not the best in this political party,” he said.
Mr Kabimba also insisted that his statement issued when the PF was engulfed in wrangles that the party was drifting towards regionalism still stands.
“What I did was to raise alarm to the general membership that the PF was drifting towards regionalism because there was a clique that wanted to impose leadership in the party based on tribe and a committed member of the party, I had to say something and I still stand by that statement.”
He denied assertions that he had brought the name of the party into disrepute by stating that the tribalism was engulfing the PF and that it had the worst disciplinary record in the history of Zambian politics.
On the judiciary, Mr Kabimba said the judiciary must stand up and defend itself from unwarranted attacks.
“The Judiciary must be allowed to remain independent. The judiciary must not be a subject of ridicule by any citizen of this country. The judiciary should remain the mirror of our society and that the judiciary must be allowed to remain the anchor of our values in terms of the judicial process,” Mr Kabimba said.
He warned that the emerging politicking from opposition leaders against the Judiciary is most unfortunate.
“This politicking that is beginning to emerge from opposition leaders where they want to make unpalatable statements against the judiciary, to pander to the gallery is most unfortunate and for me I would like to employ the Judiciary to protect itself against such citizens.
I think the Judiciary must set an example that if you have lost a case or the judgement is not in your favour, you have no right whatsoever to stand on Mount Olympus and start denouncing the Judiciary or belittling the Judiciary or any officer of the Judiciary,” Mr Kabimba said.
STATE HSE IS preparing KABIMBA TO BE ACTING PRESDIENT WHILE SATA WILL BE ON SICK LEAVE. Its good the man is better than all other zambian presidents
this pf is a confused party,who set the terms of reference in the first place,to my knowledge it mighty be both parties.so kabimba to deny that him or sata didnt commit themselves to simultanesousy release of the draft constitution is hypocritical,lets forget about the new constitution till the next govt.politics yachabechabe kashi.so whats the next step as zambians.
I disagree with my party on the road map!
Zambia must be blessed with the highest concentration of *****s in the world
Nothing good can come out of swollen malnutrition face Kabimba… the heavy medication he is on, is also not helping..
WE WANT THE NEW CONSTITUTION BY END OF JANUARY 2014, OR ELSE ???????????
Lusaka times please confirm that GBM has differed with Sata …. and GBM has stepped as defence minister,,,
Thats what muvi tv reports!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A lost of things being said by summer, but sadly non of them is met to build the party or the nation. PF how do you have the SG say there is no A Team when the other day the Veep mentioned of the A Team? Who is disagreeing that the level of confusion in this party is of world record in proportion?
this country is blessed with 1diots because it explains why you can start glorifying such people like kabimba even when his level of analysis he exhibits is that of a semi imbecile. I listened to his interview and was disappointed with his shallow answers and worse, arrogance
How do you manage to watch ZNBC in DRC? I wanted a Zambian multi-chioce card but they refused to give it to me unless I gave them my decoder so they could change it to Zambian parameters. Sad.
Matipa,
I am not sure you would do any better yourself, if you were in that position. Just re-read what you wrote in the comfort of your own abode. No pressure of cameras, listeners, etc. Yet you failed to construct one logical sentence to project your view.
Let’s learn to examine ourselves first.
Of course we respect the office but not the current occupant
Like him or not he is articulate and is a part of the trio that is the engine of PF. The others are Sata himself and Scott, the others are all important but expendable. Not Wynter!
it all depends on your level of education,your analysis and how exposed u are to the outside world,for me he has Kim jung il mentality.
@Dark Knight, I believe you left out one cardinal point that you are merely stating an opinion.
I agree with #3. Kabimba waffled through the interview and said nothing of substance. What he is saying about not having a referendum if everyone is happy with the constitution is really ridiculous. How will he determine ALL Zambians are happy without a referendum? What will he use to measure this? This is exactly what a referendum is supposed to do. Kabimba is trying to mislead the whole world with his google responses and absolutely shallow thinking.
Kabimba stood by his earlier statements that pf is a tribal party,and the most indisplined party in the history of Zambia,I give u credit on this stand,in this case it seems to me that only a bemba chap can/should lead the pf for it to remain relevant in Zambian politics ,so since u will be acting president soon and if sata kisses the dust then ,the bemba clique will not be on your side as u will be vulnerable in presidential by election.hh stands a chance of becoming the next presdo.what does our current constitution say if the president is on indefinite sick leave?
Sata is decayin slowly and his brain cant function anymore to manage 14million diverse citizens. Lets have elections now.
Reading between the lines from Wynters statements, Bloggers, SATA is very sick. So Wynter is trying to strategically reposition himself again.
“Preside over issues affecting 14 million diverse citizens,” not manage. Your choice of words is incorrect.
it seems now kabimba is neither in pf nor for the constitution.the man doesnt see himself in pf after 2016.
Thats very true. He is obviously preparing us for the time he will form a new political party.
Judging from Wynters statements, SATA is very sick. So Wynter is trying to strategically reposition himself again.
Stage one; campaigning.
Starting from now there will be serious in-house campaigns between GBM and winter kabiimba.
for them,a fight start a day after reconciliation.
Kabimba’s words are an omnious sign that the PF cookie is crumbling fast and its not edible for zambians since its sell by date is long gone.May the visionless PF party R.I.P.
this is totally unacceptable in this our lovely nation zambia of people using such unpalatable language at the expense of freedom of expression we ve just gonne beyond the expected limit,Kabimba said what he had to say bcoz thats what he bestly understands it,that was his mind,opinion and not any person’s,so lets respect each other’s.talking about the HE beeing sick is totally nonsense,how can u within your uprightly thinking ability wish your friend to die????do you think only when the HE dies that’s the only time you can go plot ONE?big shame on you EVIL,DEVILS,SERPENTS and for your own information you wil never achieve the resu4lts of your nasty thinking may the Almighty God deal with you,he will definately whip you to death.
@zalila
That was his mind,opinion & understand,so lets respect another ‘s opinion.those wishing president dead are serpents,evil,.baba practice what you preach and people will follow.not contradicting yourself.
@malilo
the only logical thing that comes to mind is to wish any cause of pain to you to disappear. it is normal to wish sata dead because he has caused a lot of misery to many. imagine you are the nurse who got fired, what would be your wish to the employer. besides, dont think sata will live forever his expiry date is very near
As a fired nurse, I wish him dead now so!!!! If not dead I wish him that his manhood never raises again!! All his wives and girlfriends will now be ceremonial as he will never climb them again. How about that @Zalila
why then? .
KABIMBA WE ARE NOT STUPID.
SATA HAS ALREADY DECLARED THERE WON’T BE A NEW CONSTITUTION.
TELL THE TRUTH.
WK is a double-tonged man and a liar. On 3rd August 2013, he was on record as saying categorically that the constitution would be adopted through a referendum. What is he saying now? Zed deserves better that this. 14 million people deserve to be ruled and led by men and women of integrity and humility. The offices of the SG and Chief Justice need to be separate, Zedians. While the SG is partisan, reflecting the whims and caprices of a party, the office of the CJ has to be national and all embracing. How is one man (and WK for that matter) expected to do this? No wonder the country has ended up with a double tonged crook like WK. At the same time he has his eyes on Plot One. Lord Have Mercy!
Mwana Muweme, I think you meant Justice Minister, NOT Chief Justice. Either way, I agree with you. The judiciary has been held to ransom by PF through these arrangements.
What the hell in Zambia
EXCUSE ME! I CANNOT SEE ANY “ QUOTED TRIBAL REMARKS” BY OUR SG IN YOUR REPORTING!
OUR SECRETARY GENERAL IS INTELLIGENT. HE IS A LAWYER. HOW DO WE EXPECT HIM TO GIVE US DEADLINES WHEN THE DRAFT IS YET TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE PUBLIC FOR COMMENT?
WHAT IF IT IS SENT BACK OR THE PUBLIC CALLS FOR REDOING IT ENTIRELY? HOW CAN HE SURELY, DETERMINE THE ARRIVAL DATE WHEN THERE ARE OTHER DRIVERS?
Which public are u referring to,the mwanakatwe ,mvunga and mung’omba commissions reviews are the same but wasting money only,the views of the public hasn’t changed.we can not be doing the same thing and expecting results,all politicians know what zedians wants but they are afraid because there powers will be reduced and to safe guard their thefts .govt gave the Tc dead line,so what’s so hard to give us a dead line of enacting the new constitution.90 days now turns out to my hands are tied,by who?
Kabimba’s responses on the sunday interview were lousy and i fell asleep! I couldnt follow what he was trying to say all because he was ambiguos. He was so messy in his answers
A useless lawyer you mean?????? The Cartel has such useless lawyers indeed; was there a competition to join it? Are you a useless lawyer in your field; do you come out number one among the worst and you have a vindictive heart? Please here is the membership form
sorry,expecting different results
Sad I missed this live Sunday interview on TV.
BA KA KAPONYA IMWE
WHAT IF, AFTER PERUSAL BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE DRAFT IS SENT BACK TO THE TC OR TO SQUARE ONE FOR REDRAFTING? THE MAN HAD SUGGESTED THAT DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS, THE TC SHOULD ONLY PRINT 10 COPIES FOR THE PRESIDENT, AND THE REST COULD BE DISTRIBUTED VIA THE PUBLIC MEDIA, ELECTRONICALLY ETC. HOW DO WE EXPECT HIM TO DETERMINE THE DUE DATE?
But how was 90 days determined? Uli chipuba iwe. Maybe if your cousin back in Mansa would have been the one who came to Canada, we would have had a good contribution from him. And stop this Capital letter nonsense!!
Mr kabimba the only person that can tie your hands in this constitution making process; is the president.
Coz the commitie drafting the constitution are done and waiting for printing authorisation.
what nonsense!
Its really sad that the Justice Minister does not know when we shall finally get the long awaited constitution. For me, among the PF campaign promises i decide to vote for them was on the issue of the consitution. And not the any other fake promises which i already knew they would not be able to archive in the 90days they were talking about. So for me its simple, they have not given the Zambian poeple a new constitution and come 2016, they have lost my vote. I will vote for any other Leader, Party just so that the PF goes out of power. It doesnt matter who i will vote for. The cardinal issue is to Vote PF out.
PF must not think they are indispensable! They have to fulfil their promises or else they will get the boot!!!
Kabimba has insisted that there is tribalism in PF. I am not sure how ‘Bembas’ are processing this statement. I like Kabimba because he is the only one in PF who can flush out into the cesspool the Bemba hegemony in PF.
I will support Kabimba not that he is a wholesome leader but to ensure that he takes over from Sata and cleanse the Bemba tribalism in PF where some people are selfishly using this commonness to deny others who are not Bembas of their rights and access for example to employment opportunities.
Kabimba is the only one in PF who can bring to an end Sata’s act of favouring those from his tribe be it in social, public or economic decisions and discriminating against all 72 tribes or more solely on the basis of their ethnic identity.
Kabimba may be intellectually…
Kabimba may be intellectually retarded and *****ic but I support him. I want him to put the final nail in the coffin of PF Bemba tribalism.
Once Kabimba has taken over, it will be very hard for another Bemba to become a president in this country because many people are really fed up with the sterile and spendthrift Bemba leadership!
Viva Kabimba!
“Kabimba has insisted that there is tribalism in PF. I am not sure how ‘Bembas’ are processing this statement.” They can’t process anything because on this one Kabimba is very right. Tribalizm in PF is very evident and Kabimba has felt it first-hand
I am not Tonga or Lozi, but our bemba friends have all these years managed to convince us all that the Tongas and the Lozis are very tribal, but very few of us have experienced tribalism from these tribes on a personal level. I think Tongas and Lozis are not liked because their languages are hard to learn by most Bembas, hence the hate of those who speak “IFITINDU”.
Notwithstanding the empty slogan “One Zambia One nation, if there is anything that has stood in the way of Zambia, toward its quest for nationhood, and still continues to do so even with greater and unabated vehemence, is Bemba tribalism.
Zambians need to educate themselves against Bamba tribalism. They need to realize that Bembas are not a majority tribe. They have survived thus far, by way of divide and rule. There were a lot of non-Bembas who were up-in-arms recently against Kabimba, just so as to make it appear that it weren’t the Bembas who were trying to push him out of his position.
Bembas have always operated that way. They must camouflage their tribalism by “exposing” illusionary Tonga or Lozi Tribalism, which at best is mere fiction.
Kabimba may be intellectually retarded and *****ic but I support him. I want him to put the final nail in the coffin of PF Bemba tribalism.
Once Kabimba has taken over, it will be very hard for another Bemba to become a president in this country because many people are really fed up with the sterile and spendthrift Bemba leadership!
Viva Kabimba!
As much as this guy is annoying, he has made some good points especially regarding the referendum.
We will lock up the President and Kabimba himself for wasting our hard earned money reviewing the constitution and now this is what he is telling us. We should all go to the streets
I PERSONALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY MR KABIMBA SHOULD BE A DETERMING FACTOR ON THE CONSTITUTION, REMEMBER DURING CAMPAIGNS, MR SATA PROMISED THAT THE CONSTITUITION WILL BE READY WITHIN 90 DAYS OF OFFICE. ARE WE ASKING FOR TOO MUCH IF WE ASK FOR A GOOD CONSTITUTION?
Ni donchi kubeba………………
What is going on in the country? GBM has resigned his ministerial position. Can government issue a statement on the state of the nation.
What is going on in the country? GBM has resigned his ministerial position. Can government issue a statement on the state of the nation. We need to know.
Please make a statement on the resignation of defense minister GBM?
people have the right, power to criticise the judiciary if it becomes a puppet of obnoxious PF, if it defers judgements on PF orders attacks on it continues.
GBM has resigned from Cabinet
Kabimba has emerged stronger from PF fights. GBM 0 Kabimba 10. You will now see the real arrogance.
LT GBM has resigned and you are snoozing. …Wake up and update your website! !
@6 A little bird told me that Kabimba has Bemba blood. The mother comes from Mpika or Chinsali.