The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has commended government for opening up to dialogue in resolving outstanding issues of concern to stakeholders.
Commenting on Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula’s meeting on Tuesday with UPND officials on the Public Order Act, SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe told QFM News that the fact that government has now agreed to dialogue over concerns raised on the Public Order Act is an indication that government has come to the realization that the legislation is problematic and needs to be amended.
Mr Cheembe has commended government for its willingness to dialogue over the Public Order Act and has encouraged government to continue being flexible and ensure all issues of concern to various stakeholders are subjected to dialogue.
Mr. Cheembe told Qfm News that government should also consider the request by 16 opposition leaders to have a constitution inter-party dialogue that will include President Michael Sata.
And the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has also commended government and the UPND for agreeing on the importance of dialogue in resolving grievances especially those on the Public Order Act.
FODEP Executive Director Macdonald Chipenzi told Qfm News in a separate interview that it is hoped that the development will result in concrete steps towards review of the Public Order Act.
Mr. Chipenzi said FODEP envisages a Public Order Act that promotes plural politics and accords all citizens equal chance to participate in the democratic space and freely express themselves, assemble and associate without any hindrances.
And Operation Young Vote (OYV) said it is encouraging that government and UPND have agreed to dialogue over the raised concerns on the Public Order Act.
Executive Director Guess Nyirenda says his organization also hopes that this will be the first step towards referring the Public Order Act to Parliament for amendment.
But the thing is; Is Sata willing to dialogue and allow freedom to opposition parties, and freedom of speech? Is Sata willing to listen to the cries of the Zambian people concerning the release of the new constitution? e can’t buy into this as this is only coming from one of the PF useless ministers, Simbyakula.
Like coaxing a spoiled child to accept a sweet. The PF really is a useless govt.
zambians i want to share this with u,no matter what happens to the public order act the zambia police will still not allow freedom of assembly to be allowed.
REASON;policemen are really enjoying under the pf reign with huge salaries ever paid to them since time immemorial.what it is that they,re very happy with the money to the extent of not allowing any opponent to the pf govt freedom.very few cops,teachers and defence personnel are against this regime.sata is a clever politician who will use the zimbabwean way to manipulate things coz if this group are on your side u can,t go wrong.so watch out, tel them that u won,t temper with their salaries and assure them that may be u,ll increase more.
dialogue would be guaranteed for as longs as chaps like u5, fake pstr/fr show some maturity and manners
The P f should not be praised for this; they are the government of the day and should be open to dialogue with the opposition:
It’s not possible to have genuine dialogue with ailing dictator Michael Sata’s PF party; Sata wants to monopolize political power that’s why he doesn’t accept dissenting views from anybody.SACCORD should not mislead the Zambian people,Sata will only accept dialogue when the people take to the streets and protest against his tribal and corrupt regime.