Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government to table all the provisions of the draft constitution, except bill of rights

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Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula
Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula

Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula has said that the Constitution Amendment Bill 2015 and the Constitution of Zambia Bill 2015 will be published on Saturday, 1st August, 2015.

Dr Simbyakula told Parliament today that the Bills which have been drafted are expected to be tabled in Budget sitting of Parliament after ensuring compliance with Article 79(2) of the current constitution which requires 30 day publication period prior to introduction in the house.

Dr Simbyakula said that following the public concerns raised on the identification of clauses for enactment into the constitution, Cabinet has decided to table all the provisions of the draft constitution prepared by the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian constitution except the bill of rights and provisions on alterations of the constitution provided for under Article 79 of the current constitution.

Dr Simbyakula said that the Bill of rights and Article 79 of the constitution will be subject to a referendum during the 2016 general election.

The Justice Minister has since urged members of the public to take time to study the contents of the documents once published and make their submissions to the relevant committee of Parliament at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile Government spent about K12 billion unrebased on three commissions of inquiry appointed by late President Michael Sata in 2011.

These are the commissions of inquiry on the Mongu riots of 14th January 2011,the sale of 75% government shareholding in Zamtel to Lap Green and the commission of inquiry into oil procurement under the Energy Regulation Board.

Dr Simbyakula told Parliament in a ministerial statement that the inquiry on the Mongu riots gobbled K5.5 billion, while the one on procurement of oil gobbled K4.7 billion with the one on the sale of Zamtel gobbling K2.2 billion.

Dr Simbyakula said that President Edgar Lungu is currently studying the contents of the reports, and that later, Cabinet will consider the reports and that the appropriate follow up action will be determined thereafter.

19 COMMENTS

    • The Bill of Rights was supposed to come first in referendum, because it protects all other bills.
      The rights of a vice-president to take over when a president dies.
      In other words, whatever… just do it and we move on.

  1. What a careless drain of public resources without any fruitful results . Oh mother Zambia,we cry for you

  2. No power in parts of ngwerere and kabangwe, from 18, meanwhile experienced loading shedding from 6 in the morning to 14. So I won’t comment on this constitution issue, I am in darkness

    • Just use charcoal and old fashioned koloboi. What is your issue, does Africa deserve any better with the calibre of leadership? You put all that on yourselves. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. You can’t have low calibre leadership and expect the best in direction of a country. It does not work like that.

  3. Is this still about the 90 days constitution? It’s like planting cassava and expecting to reap apples or strawberries.

  4. WTF! If NO zedian votes these peaheads out, then that’s the end of Zambia as I knew it – Goodbye !!

  5. These reckless empty tins….And next week, some buffoon empty tin transport minister excited about the borrowed $1 billion will announce again that they want to waste money on a national airline, when Air Zimbabwe is sinking under, South African Airline has received over R30 bn worth of bail-outs from the govt since 1999, Kenya Airways is always filing huge losses and is now blaming rivals and low tourism numbers, after recently posting a $252m loss, it now needs a loan of $250 m to stay afloat.

    Zambians wake up from your folly and docility!!

    • You discuss the article. The Constitutions Bill with all the articles will be published so where is your problem? Setting up an airline is another issue should be dealt with separately. So if you don’t want government to set up an airline what is your alternative?

      People please ignore these bloggers who just rant without indicating alternatives. Roads you don’t want, constitution, you don’t want ; new companies you don’t want; so what kind of people are you who don’t want anything and at the same time don’t propose anything as an alternative?

  6. This is welcome news about the Constitution. I could never have asked for more, my beloved country but God who knows how to bless, blesseses even more. I expected only a significant # of the key clauses to be presented but God has given us nearly the whole Constitution! How awesome. Our God is a great a great God indeed. Some believe in chariots, some believe in men, some believe in riches, but I believe in the inspiration of the word of God reflected in the principles of this Constitution. No one is special under this Constitution which is an improved attempt to protect everyone under the enhanced systems. We are destined for great things as a people. There will be no other nation that has chosen to be set apart in this way as Zambia. MPs, this is your chance to act as Zambians. APPROVE

    • Mr. One,
      I will take the liberty of assuming that you have chosen the writing style of saying exactly the opposite of what you mean from the first word to the last.

  7. Govt, will have done its part on the Constitution. This is such an important moment in the young history of this country. If we all remove the hindrance of petty politics from slowing this important process and act as partriots we will realize that we each have a role to play. This is not a process to be left just to Govt or the politicians. Govt has provided the leadership. Let us lobby the MPs to see this process for what it is – a transformation of our governance system to equalize both the leaders and the rulers with a focus on giving each Zambian equal opportunities. The current constitutions gives too much power to politicians to the extent that people still think that only politicians can transform lives. This draft constitution gives you a chance to change this. God Bless Zambia.

  8. All Articles? Woooooooooooh! no more fake politikning by those people, whom I will not mention their groups. ECL =5 The Rest =0.

    Mwapya! Projects on course, constitution, off the way, so what next badala?

  9. If I am getting this correctly, this means all the clauses, including the contentious ones like 50 plus 1, dual citizenship etc. will be decided by Parliament as to their inclusion in the Constitution. The only clauses that will go out to the people to debate and decide, through a referendum, will be the Bill of Rights and Article 79 of the Constitution.

    If this is the intention, it goes against the spirit of the whole process. If anything, the Bill of Rights should be protected as it is. It is respecting it that has been a problem (especially with the contradictory Public Order Act) All other contentious clauses should be subject to a referendum. Parliament (full of PF cadres) will merely select what is convenient to perpetuating its grip on power.

  10. This appears to be a good compromise!

    But, let not the President to be the appointing authirity for Reginal Governors/ Premiers and allow the Provinces/States to freely and independently elect their own Regional leaders by universal adult sufferage.

    Let us make a drastical reduction in Presidential appoints.

    Good luck!

  11. nothing seems to work in zambia …lets all enjoy and play games and oh! i forgot drink tujijlijijli……………………..

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