Thursday, March 28, 2024

Grand Coalition Scales Up Campaign for People Driven Constitution

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Zambia Episcopal Coneference representative Father Chiti makes a speech
Zambia Episcopal Coneference representative Father Chiti makes a speech

The Grand Coalition has resolved to take the campaign for a people driven constitution in Zambia to a higher level in view of the delaying tactics exhibited by the Government.

Members of the Grand Coalition are drawn from over 300 institutions comprising Civil Society Organisations, the church, youth movement, political parties, labour movement and other stakeholders campaigning for a people driven constitution in Zambia.

Following a strategic meeting in Lusaka on 24 March, the coalition announced that the Patriotic Front Government’s continued delaying-tactics and apparent lack of willingness to deliver a people-driven constitution was against the general expectations of Zambians.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Chairperson of the Grand Coalition’s Steering Committee, Fr. Leonard Chiti said they would not retreat until the final draft is released.

“A lot of public time, money and other resources were invested into this process, which was supposed to be completed within 90 days but has now dragged on for more than two years,” said Fr. Leonard Chiti.

“As a Grand Coalition, dedicating ourselves and our organisations to continue to fight for the release of the final Draft Constitution until the draft is released by whoever is holding it. We commit ourselves to work together with all like-minded entities to campaign for a people driven constitution in Zambia. We will not rest until the final draft is released.”

As part of the efforts to take the campaign for a people driven constitution to a higher level, the coalition has established two structures to strengthen the campaign.

“We have established a Technical Working Group which will serve as a think tank for the group, and a Steering Committee Executive comprising Fr Leonard Chiti as Chairperson, Ms Beatrice Grillo as Vice Chairperson and Mr. McDonald Chipenzi as Spokesperson. We are not deterred by the Government’s ongoing reactions to frustrate and discredit our campaign through intimidation, blackmail and misinformation,” added Fr. Chiti.

18 COMMENTS

  1. Ba grand coalition please don’t let Sata hear you he might ask do we have an animal driven constitution in place today?

    • This sudden fight about the constitution is glossily misunderstood by the so called grand coalition.

      it must be put clearly that the PF govt has not refused to deliver a people driven constitution. I have no doubt the govt will deliver on this one, will not disappoint.

      so what you contesting?

      fighting grand coalition shadows I guess

    • Lady goes to BIGOCA on a Tuesday and approaches the Bishop.

      Lady: Bishop, my dog has just died. We are requesting to use your Church for the funeral service.

      Bishop: (Angry) What? A dog? Madam, we never ever hold funeral services for dogs in this Church. May be try that small church over there.

      Lady: (preparing to leave) Thank you Sir. I am sure those people won’t mind my small token of US$250, 000 for their trouble. Bishop, do you think it will be enough?

      Bishop: (Blinking fast) Ehe…. Ehe. Madam. Why didn’t you tell me that your dog was a Christian? So which day did you say we have the service …..?

  2. The Grand Coalition surely have a point. Why should someone hold on to some document which is not theirs. In this case the constitution belongs to the people of Zambia and anybody trying to behave otherwise is working against the will of the owners.
    The seemingly negative forces on the implementation of the new constitution should be held accountable in the event the whole process becomes a “shelf document”.

  3. Constitution is # 1 Issue for 2016 Elections. The PF (Kaloba) Govt is denying us what belongs to us their kings at their own peril.

    • We now know that the root cause of all mis-governance is lack of a good constitution that limits presidential powers. With such a constitution as we currently have, only a good president can rule properly. Because Sata is not one such a president, we now see all these evils of corruption, regionalism, nepotism, arrogance and general lack of prudence in the use of tax payer’s money. The govt purse is like a personal purse for Sata & family. All 3 arms of govt are confused and jumbled up. What we are seeing happening on people’s farms where PF cadres are grabbing land without retraint is exactly what is happening in the govt offices over national resources. We therefore urgently need to reduce presidential powers so that there is fear of the law from the top to the bottom.The law should…

  4. PF: Pls let us project ourselves to the international community as trustworthy and civilized people by honouring our campaign promises. Such behaviour is what affects the Kwacha and the economy. The time we are spending on talking about constitution was supposed to be used on other progressive projects. It is like we are always going backwards. Is Zambia surely a great nation? I doubt if the people themselves are not great. Always dribbling each other! When people start committing suicide over the constitution, probably that is when you will realize how serious this matter is. In civilized world, people do that out of frustration.

  5. The mistake is that every body is asking for government to deliver the constitution . Just start the process and just invite government as one of the any other stake holder. Resource mobilization, planning, lf speaker needs to be petitioned, use all non government structures that can help, remember government is just a facilitator.If you are serious you can make this government irrelevant. Now stop crying to government and move for once. You can do it.show them that after all they are just a stakeholder like any body else and not the chaps to donate the constitution to you. Civil society, wake up!

    • Very true. in addition, approach foreign embassies and govets for funding of the referendum as we have already heard that the excuse is the funds required for a referendum are huge. Be proactive and seal off all loopholes the PF govt will try to use instead of reacting one step at a time.

    • You miss the point.

      1. It is the govt that appointed the Technical Committee and the committee is answerable to them.

      2. It is the govt that is holding on to the final draft constitution.

    • @Bwana Mkubwa YOU miss the point!

      1. It is the PEOPLE of Zambia that appointed the government, and as Sata and his PF are now EMPLOYEES of the PEOPLE of Zambia the PEOPLE have a right to know what the government is doing on their behalf.

      2. If these EMPLOYEES are holding onto the final draft, they are failing to do their DUTY.

      3. If an employee fails to perform his work, he should be FIRED!

      4. If he has taken his employers property without permission, that is a CRIME called THEFT! And he should be prosecuted for it!

    • @Ben. I totally agree with you.

      This mobilisation going now is called SUMMONING this STUBBORN employee.

      Let every one add his/her voice to the call

  6. Ba Sata, this thing about the constitution will not go away, no matter how long you keep on ignoring it. You are in fact adding fuel to the the fire, it will keep growing, and as 2016 approaches, it will snowball into something unmanageable…

  7. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE BLINDED, HH HAS ALREADY KICKED OFF HIS 2016 CAMPAIGN , ALL THOSE SUPPORTING HIM ARE HIS POTENTIAL VOTERS. THIS IS HH’S NO. 1 PRIORITY NOTHING ELSE MATTERS BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IT GIVES HIM HIGHER CHANCES OF GETTING INTO STATE HOUSE. CHURCHES AND CSOs MUST MAKE NOISE ABOUT JOBS AND DEVELOPMENT NOT SUPPORTING AN INDIVIDUAL TO COME TO POWER. IF THE 50%+1 CLAUSE WAS REMOVED FROM THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION ALL THIS NOISE WOULD STOP.

    • If because of 50%+1 we will have a people driven constitution, then let it be so. At least in the new constitution, presidential powers are limited and even HH himself will not have a blank check Sata is trying to hold on to.

  8. This grand coalition is a share waste of time. Everyday there are just praying. And its headed by a Father. Doesn’t he know that prayer without action is useless. Chumbu Munshololwa needs pressure. Demonstrate in the streets you cowards.

  9. Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i
    read this post i thought i could also create comment due to this sensible post.

    Look into my homepage – ???

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