Friday, March 29, 2024

Oasis Forum demands Kunda’s resignation

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FLASH BACK: Vice-president George Kunda
Incumbent Vice-president George Kunda

The Oasis Forum has demanded for the immediate resignation of Vice President George Kunda for misleading the nation on the constitution making process.

The Oasis Forum, which consists of five organizations, has resolved that President Rupiah Banda should fire Mr. Kunda by powers vested in him as president.

Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council NGOCC Board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo said this during a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that the Oasis forum has lamented the lack of political will on the part of the president, the Attorney General and political parties in promoting a democratic dispensation through the constitution making process.

Ms. Grillo added that the oasis forum believes that the figure of 83 billion kwacha that was announced to have been spent during the process is grossly understated as the original budget was 135 billion kwacha.

She said that the nation will know the correct amount of money that was spent during the NCC deliberations once internal audits in the whole process are completed.

The Oasis forum has further demanded that government unconditionally apologize to the Zambian people for the misapplication of resources on a failed process.

It has further observed that it is possible for the country to hold its elections under a new constitution if there is political will from government.

The Oasis forum further said that there is need to urgently constitute a lean technical committee of experts to validate the Mung’omba draft constitution and report.

At the same briefing, the oasis forum announced the re-launch of the green ribbon campaign for the constitutional reform process.

[pullquote]General Shikapwasha said that civil society organisations demanding a new constitution before the general elections have six months to convince UPND and PF members of parliament to support the NCC draft constitution.[/pullquote]

The five members of the Oasis Forum include the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council, the Council of Churches in Zambia, the Law Association of Zambia, the Zambia Episcopal Conference and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia.

However, Government has said that it was not possible to have a new constitution before this year’s general elections.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said that the draft constitution which failed to pass through parliament can only be brought back after six months.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha who is also Information Minister said that it is also unfair to call for the resignation of Vice President George Kunda who is also Justice Minister over the failure by parliament to enact a constitution.

General Shikapwasha said that Mr. Kunda did his best as Justice Minister to bring the national draft constitution into parliament.

General Shikapwasha said that civil society organisations demanding a new constitution before the general elections have six months to convince UPND and PF members of parliament to support the NCC draft constitution.

QFM

49 COMMENTS

  1. This man has no character, no stamina, no education, no agenda, no style, no quality, – What is he doing being VP?

  2. Wamona Red Lips, what goes around comes around. The MMD VP position has been scrapped, very soon you will be a liability to RB due to your inconsistencies and he will ask his bulldogs in MMD to chuck you out, especially that he is tribalist. He will want his tribesmate to be his VP and eventual successor. I can’t wait for that moment. Mulongoti will laugh last. Serenje kalindula bandsman.

  3. Mr Sikapwasha, you must admit that there was no political will from grz from the start. The UPND participated in the constitution making process in the hope that they will have thier voices heard on the contencious issues such as the Bill of Rights and 50% +1. They were consistent in their deliberations but your MMD mps and the hand-picked deligates outvoted them on all issues. They also rejected the adoption of the draft by the so called forum on the basis that some issues were deliberately forwarded to a referendum which grz was sure will never happen. We therefore do not expect these mps to suddenly change their minds and support a bill they rejected from the begining! The cost of a poor constitution could even be higher than the amount spent already. Adopt the Mungomba draft in full.

  4. His being fired has started at MMD convention where they have scrapped off MMD Veep position indefinately, imagine they did that after Kunda filed in his nomination….His days are too numbered.

  5. Red Lips can’t be fired because he was doing the will of his pay master Vasco da Banda.
    This Shikapwasha is still talking about the useless bill,Oasis Forum wants the Mung’omba draft constitution’s clauses which Red Lips threw away to manipulate Zambians. Not the same bill Mr Long Nose Shikapwapwa.
    The wind of change is around the corner.
    Viva Sata and PF come 2011

  6. Ba Kunda just pack and go…. see failure while in power and go out with your little dignity if at all any…. don’t join the statistical rend of leaders that see mistakes after humiliation of their exit….. Viva Cobra, Viva PF…change is coming……MMD 20 years still not enough

  7. Let him go together with Munkombwe. I started hearing about Munkombwe when i was a very small boy. Now I’m remaining with a few years before i start having grand children, the same Munkombwe is still in Government. Are these positions personal to holder? Awe ine chilankalipa sana let others enjoy also. These are public offices.

  8. Lieutenant General Shikapwasha who is also Information Minister said that it is also unfair to call for the resignation of Vice President George Kunda who is also Justice Minister over the failure by parliament to enact a constitution.

    THIS KUNDA ALSO MISLED US ON THE FTJ CASES SO WHAT IS NEXT OTHER THAN PACKING

  9. That is not in the culture of our politicians to step aside when they fail. You are asking for too much and it is going to be the first time it happens.

  10. That is not in the culture of our politicians to step aside when they fail. You are asking for too much and it is going to be the first time if it happens.

  11. I only hope Zambians can come out in the light and say we need change. how do u vote for people that are misusing resources. all that money spent on allowances and other expenses yet the benefit is not yet to be seen. it does matter who takes over as presidency what matters is change and change in the right way. the government is busy bragging about building infrastructure, then what is their mandate, why were they voted into power and whose resources are they using, of course from the taxpayers and donors. government watch out, change is coming

  12. At the same briefing, the oasis forum announced the re-launch of the green ribbon campaign for the constitutional reform process. There they go NGOs more money from donors to fatten their pockets by organising seminars !!! What a country that with NGOs that uphold democracy when it goes their way!! This is how democracy works!!! In this case ithought the NGOs and some churches should call for the resignation of PF and UPND members of parliament. 1. PF for not participating in the NCC after partcipating in the enactment of the NCC Act. 2. UPND for betrayal after partcipating in the NCC and the producing of the report. As for NGOs, Churches and LAZ for cowardice. If you guys had been their at NCC you could have influenced the outcome but you opted to stay away (sin of ommission) and if what

  13. 20 cont: and if your views (peoples views as u put it) were not taken on board then that was the time to come out and the whole NCC could have crumbled and not go far . Unfortunately u decided to stay away and you are equally to blame and the best you can do is to keep your peace period. However we should know that democracy is expensive and in most cases even the ideas can be shot down by the majority or minority like in this case were UPND holds the deciding vote. Grow up OASIS FORUM!!!

  14. The OASIS Forum should just admit that they are as much to blame as George Kunda.If there was no boycott in attending the NCC by Oasis Forum,THE 50+1 and the running mate clauses could easily have gone through given the lobbying that would have been staged at NCC MEETING.It is foolhardy for people who perpetually take pleasure in boycotting national issues to appear champions.Zambians will now feel the effects of failing to pass the few positive amendments that the Bill which George Kunda presented in Parliament.We are back to 1996 constitution which Michael Sata and Edith Nawakwi jubilantly passed.

  15. KACHEPA: Before the late Levy Mwanawasa died, he wrote letters for the dismissal of RB as VP (posting him into foreign service and Magande appointed as VP). He did not sign the letters because the Attoney General needed to give advice. The letterst were left with GK. Unfortunately, Levy never came back alive. In the first press conference, Bwalya Chiti was to be VP for RB. At the very last minute, RB was informed his Justice Minister (to be) had letters that almost messed up his opportunity. As a form of compromise and ensuring the nation did not know what had transpired, GK was given two portfolios 30 minutes before the conference! That is where his power lies. Can he be fired now? I dont know,,,,,

  16. For what reason would the Veep be fired or resign? His duty was to take the Constitution Bill to Parliament, and he did that on time. The duty of the MPs was to vote, they voted and the Constitution Bill did not pass.
    Veep has performed his duty. So how can Veep be held responsible for the actions of MPs? Is he a dictator, and does he have powers to force the MPs? Is there a constitution anywhere in the world where the Veep is punished when a Bill fails to pass in Parliament?Is that democracy? Oasis, you are barking at the wrong tree.

  17. By the way, our history is full of our customary disagreements over the constitution and the process of enactment, and even the appointment of constitutional commissions or technical committees. Given this rich background of pulling in different directions, do you OASIS think that the technical committee that you are proposing can be appointed within the next six months? And have enough time to do their work? Remember that you members of OASIS will also want to visit RSA, Norway, Kenya, USA etc. At the end of it all, is there a gaurantee that the technical committee will reach agreement? And who tells you that a technical committee can be more democratic than the NCC, or can represent the views of the majority? What guarantee is there that the “OASIS Bill” will not be shot down by…

  18. George Should go and if we were just to get serious even RB should go,his govt has wasted tax payers money which ZRA collects under harsh conditions….Banda should have been impitched. You do’nt go on the treasury with jokes and spend

  19. contd….What guarantee is there that the “OASIS Bill” will not be shot down by Parliament? Remember that there are three main interest groups in Parliament. The only way you can guarantee the “OASIS Bill” to pass is if the OASIS forum was given the mandate to pass it, but how? Did the people of Zambia elect you?

  20. H.H Sata, you should know how Kunda bulldosed the entire process. Me misled Levy, he misled RB into belieiving a national consensus was not required to draft the national constitution. it was very evident from the word go this constitution would flop becuase the other critical stakeholders ignored the process. George thought they could not matter. he even misled RB into believing he would carry the day on the actual voting day. How does one individual escape in a golden parachute when he (unprofessionally) directed the plane into hurricane?

  21. How competent is Mwana mwamba in dealing with issues of uttermost importance to the national assembly and above all the nation? The govt failure to score on the constitution amendment bill is enough to resolve the house and those in power kicked out.Steve Harper of Canada lost in the same manner and immediately called for the dissolution of parliament and announced election dates for a new mandate.i do understand that these are two different societies,but one thing in common people have spoken through there leaders that these guys have no brains they think zambians are stupid and they can take any crap they wanna throw at them. Damb RB AND KUNDA!!

  22. Please bring back the Mung’omba draft constitution and adopt it in totality as the new constitution because it represents the will of the Zambians. Who is Kunda to impose a constitution on Zambians? My heart bleeds when I decipher what is happening on the Zambian political seen.
    And please can the NGOs the Churches and all well meaning Zambians kindly bring Mr Sata and Mr Hakainde to the round table for the reconstitution of the PACT so that the MMD can be thrown out once and for all. WITHOUT THE PACT MMD WILL CARRY THE DAY(ALLOW FOR RIGGING)

  23. #31 Ruth, in PF lingo anyone who does not think like them has been bought or he is misleading the President. As far as I know the buck stops at the President’s office. Whether it was Levy or it is RB, Presidents are responsible for their decisions, not their Veeps, whether that Veep is Hon Kunda or Gay scotch.

  24. #33 thank you for the admission, there are few like you. PACT will never rise again, it never was anyway, so MMD will carry the day. Makes sense too.

  25. Hey, Matero Univeristy where are you? We need your students’ research to help the OASIS Forum make correct decisions.

  26. We are told the UPND wanted certain concessions, like the 50 +1, and a coalition government between MMD and UPND. Coalition govt? This sounded like holding the constitutional bill to ransom, and to some greater extent traces of corruption(scratch my back i will scratch yours) by UPND. Had the MMD agreed to these demands, the bill could have passed second reading. and we thought the UPND did it for the people! Yet no, there was nothing in it for UPND MPs after MMD couldnt agree to those requests. And to show their indecision, they chose to abstain on this national issue.They did it for the people uhm?

  27. The so-called Oasis Forum (OF) refused to have anything to do with the Constitutional process right from the start. What is this barking all about? The OF is surely composed of a banch of silly hypocrits playing on the people with weak non-analytical minds. They should just SHUT UP and go to HELL.

  28. Ministers in Africa don’t resign !! Forget it, Kunda can’t resign on his own. Not in Africa, and Zambia in particular. Those are miracles you are asking about.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  29. #38 Go to hell yourself since you look to be a coward. Cowards tend to even scare innocent women of rape and go scot free….

  30. That is the way to go ba Oasis forum. You should take the lead in ensuring that we have a new constitution before the elections. Don’t trust the politicians to come up with a constitution that is people driven. Whoever will be president will want a constitution that favours them as a party. This is the right time for all Zambians to unit around the Oasis forum and demand for a new people driven constitution. No politician should be allowed to hijack the process, especially the well known chameleon!!!!

  31. I’m a bit mystified by all this noise since the collapse of the consitution bill in parliament. Surely, isn’t something we should be proud of that our parliament does deliver on its responsibilities and they are not just a rubber stamp. Any experienced person knows that you do not expect a new constitution to just pass through on the first reading. Consitution making is not like cooking dinner. To me I’m so proud that we are going through this process, its all part of constitution making process. Constiution making does not end at drafting – the discussion continues up to the last bill. So why are we calling for people to be fired?? The boring thing about Zambia now is that we can never have an intelligent discussion without people making political noises. NGOCC are disappointing..!!

  32. I wonder what type of a lawyer this Kunda is. It seems he specialises in misleading presidents on very important matters which cost the country a lot of money.

  33. This is ZAMBIA. George Kunda will NOT resign nor desire to GO. He will act like Gbagbo of Ivory Coast. In Africa, they never go on their own Unless Forced OUT.

    George Kunda messed up FTJ case and now he has wasted more than 100 Billion kwacha not the 83 sweet coated Billion kwacha being mentioned. RB is in No mood to fire him and for Chiluba, he has used GK to secure his “Freedom”.

  34. This is Zambia. The Politicians always tel Us that we the Citizens are the Masters. So George Kunda should GO. If he does NOT GO, let us Go into the streets (there is POWER i the Streets) and protest UNtil George Kunda is Fired or he resigns. His intergrity is in tatters. Look at the FTJ cases he has not appealed. Look at the money wasted on NCC to push for the MMD constitution. Let us protest…continue to protest the Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen example untl sick George Kunda is removed.

  35. George Kunda is like a Salaula underpant that fits all-give him a fool as boss he will behave even more foolish than his boss.NO PRINCIPLES -WASTED EDUCATION AND BRAINS!!!

  36. The former Oasis Forum should not hoodwink the wellmeaning people of Zambia with meaningless statements about the process of making the constitution. This clique of quasi NGOs and NGIs were invited to seat on Mungomba and NCC but they were blinded by their donors and refused to do so. Anyway, the long and short of all this nonsense is that their latest antics will fail as lamentably as their previous one in 2008. Grow up bambuli imwe.

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