Change Life Zambia Executive Director, Father Frank Bwalya, has urged the Patriotic Front (PF) Government not to mutilate any of the progress clauses in the draft constitution that may not be in its favour as a political party in power.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, Fr Bwalya, who strongly advocated for the constitutional review, said the newly released draft is good and takes the long standing demands for a democratic constitution that represents a true spirit of multi-partism.
Fr Bwalya hoped that the PF government will not throw out the critical clauses such as the 50 per cent plus one for a winning presidential candidate and the one stating that the vice president should be a running mate to the president among other contentious ones as the MMD did in the past drafts.
He said his organization and the entire Zambian people are looking forward to the PF party to honour its promise that it was not going to betray the people like the MMD did.
Fr Bwalya observed that if enacted in its draft form, the constitution would be a perfect document that would stand the test of time.
Last week the technical committee working on a new national constitution released its first draft and the public have been given 40 days to analyze it and make submissions in reaction.
Meanwhile Fr Bwalya said his organization will continue fighting for the former Zamtel workers who were prematurely laid off at the unscrupulous sale of the telecommunications company to Lap-Green Telecommunications of Libya.
He said his organization will soon make a follow up on the progress from government and the Zamtel management to see how far the process of re-engaging the workers has gone.
He added that ‘Get Involved Zambia’ was still committed to helping and speaking for the less privileged in society.
And the Civil Society Constitution Coalition, comprising 19 organisations, is satisfied with the contents of the draft constitution.
The coalition is happy that the draft has provided for economic, social and cultural rights for the first time.
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections Director, Leonard Chiti who spoke on behalf of the coalition, says the various progressive clauses will help develop and strengthen the country’s democracy if implemented.
Mr. Chiti has told journalists at a media briefing that the coalition feels clauses such as article 75 (1) which provides for the 50 plus one per cent votes for a winning presidential candidate and article 107 (1) providing for a presidential running mate are progressive.
He says the coalition is also happy with the provisions which have been made for Presidential petitions and the transition period before the assumption of office for the elected President.
And Mr Chiti has urged government to immediately appoint a referendum commission so that arrangements for holding of the referendum can start.
ZANIS
Contesious clause are
1.50plus+1
2.Presidential parentage and running mate
3. Dual citizenship
If PF manipulate this wonderfulll piece of document then we must kick them out in 2016 and we bring HH who looks to be more organised of late
Black people!What’s is wrong with Black people?Is it hard to go to school and not study or do homework? Is it hard to not have a job and just steal when you want something? Is it hard to have children and not support them? And avoid the sacrifies that other people make for their children? There are no bad neighborhoods, only bad Black people.Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are! Take responsibility Black people!.
Pass the Puke bucket,please
Thanks
i.d.i.o.t.a.s
The appointing of security service chiefs and parastatal company director.
The strangler of chickens. Fuseki!
Even chicken strangler does not trust PF to keep the draft constitution as it is…..
Fr. Bwalya Keep on speaking for voiceless Zambians – Dump the red outfit though!
Dual Citizenship is a great clause – it will enhance development not only through Zambians abroad but it should also include a clause that allows any person from any part of the world to be given an investor visa with a path to citizenship after three years if they bring in say $500,000.00 cash with them to Zambia and passing a background check if they engage in activities that create employment for at least five qualified Zambians in their field of expertise. Switzerland, France, Canada, Argentina, Monaco, the USA just to mention a few have similar arrangements. This way you encourage capital in flows that are guaranteed to stay in the country. This needs to be considered in tandem with the citizenship clause.
Yes Father Bwalya speak for the voiceless.
….meanwhile a Zambian immigrant in the UK does her thing to survive…
The Sun reports…
AN illegal immigrant who fiddled more than £30,000 in benefits cannot be kicked out of the country — because of human rights laws.
Joy Chishimba, 26, entered Britain from Zambia on a student visa. In 2009 she fell pregnant, bought a fake UK passport for £1,000 and used it to get the flat and handouts. When she was eventually rumbled she admitted fraudulently claiming £30,000 in housing benefit and £4,000 in income support.
Chishimba claims she only turned to crime out of desperation when her ex-boyfriend kicked her out. She said: “I just didn’t wake up one day and decide to do this. I had to protect my daughter.”
Pointless news, there are other issues that matter!! Yawn.
Sun-Tabloid newspaper for BNP & UKIP followers!
speaks a lot doesn’t it? if you’re one with higher intelect, read far more high end Intelectual Press.
Just an opinion :)
So, what is new in this draft that was missed out by the NCC?
The principles of a good constitution however doctrines one wants to impose, is to let the people talk and give their opinion. Much as we need to emulate the developed nations, we are not there yet, but so far this draft constitution addresses almost all the contentious issues every Zambian asked for. At least the TT were not bothered by the sentiments of our criticism, and as elders took what we had to say and chose in there wisdom what is best for mother Zambia.
It’s my prayer that we continue to give contributions as Zambians however our differences so that former Chief Justice Annel Silungwe, Dr Sakala, Dr Chongwe, Prof Mvunga, Sebastian Lungu and others, come up with a Constitution that stands the test of time. So far this draft, seems to be a good start.
THE APPOINTMENT OFSATASFAMILYMEMBERS TO CANADA MISSION AS DIPLOMATS SHOULD ALSO BE REMOVEDIN THE CLUASE. THIS IS NOW A CANCER, CAN SOMEONE ADVISE THE PRESIDENT,ITS JUST TOO MUCH, THEIR SO MANY ZAMBIANS WHO VOTED FORHIM WHOMAY NEED JOBS AND NOT THE FAMILY MEMBERS HE IS TAKING IN THESE MISSIONS, THEY HAVE SO FAR PROVED THEY CANT PERFORM BUT JUST HARRASE DIPLOMATS AND LOCAL STAFFS SIMPLY BECUASE THEY ARE RELLATED TOTHE presidentand some to the wife. will ottawa miision really perform well, this will be practly imporsible. thereisno way that onefamily can run a mission.
PLIZ PLIZ BA SATA WE BERG OF YOU TRY TOIMPROVEIN THE AREA OF EMPLYING YOUR RELATIVES AND GET OTHER POEPLE, YOUR RELATIVES ARE JUST TO HARSH TO OFFICERS WHO CANT TALK IN OTTAWA THERE IS TOTAL DRAMA. LORD HELP ZAMBIA.
The 50%+1, running mate, date of elections etc are very important. But they are one time events. For me the greatest inclusion is DEVOLUTION OF POWERS to the provinces. This affects everyday governance and citizens participation at lower levels. It even addresses the BA64 concerns.
Zambians think. It is taking a lot of time for you to appreciate the value of the proposed devolution or decentralisation or federalism or whatever. It will mean we shall not be waiting for Lusaka to debate construction of a small bridge in my village. We do that at province and approve. Let’s debate the financing mechanism people. And tax system?
Zambians think. It is taking a lot of time for you to appreciate the value of the proposed devolution or decentralisation or federalism or whatever. It will mean we shall not be waiting for Lusaka to debate construction of a small bridge in your village. We do that at province and approve. Let’s debate the financing mechanism people. And tax system?
We should enforce village registration and village tax where headmen collect from households per quarter even ka 10pin cabe, submit to provincial treasury for our civic works. Introduce bicycle tax, toll gates on high ways etc. Ati shani… guys. You know like Brig. Gen. Miyanda’s village concept.
It cant be a perfect document when the president still wilds such immense powers, eg, Appointments of Provincial ministers and all constitutional office bearers which perpetrates patronage and abuse. Talk about Parliamentary secretaries, another whit elephant. I still contend that the greatest challenge our constitution has is not what many are calling contentious issues but rather a mechanism to ensure those that govern are made accountable and answerable to the governed which i do not see being priotised in the draft.
It will only be a good document when it comes into effect. We’ve always had good drafts.
typicall of black people, great planners but bad implementers.e.g the budget is always sweet to hear the finance minister’s presentation but application is always a failure.
Now we have a well standing draft constitution right in front of our nose yet non of the good statutes will be implemented.
PF has just dribbled itself for allowing the 50 plus 1 because in 2016 the same clause will work againt PF. If you look at the way MMD members are fighting for party presidency then you will realise that they have seen that the party in power will not go thru. Whoever is reading should mark my words. Nangu chikabe shani PF will not go through in 2016 because of the 50 plus 1.
The F**ker is Get Involved Zambia master dribbler
Well spoken Fr Bwalaya, Zambia appreciates your services. If you have to slaughter another chicken to prove a point please do so…only the wise will understand the significance of your activities. God bless you and continue shinning his light upon you as you take justice and democracy to another level.
First Gtleman, I hear you, but that clause to let the president appoint provincial leaders is OK in my view. This because it will keep provinces with hot headed men in check. If they become too autonomous they can just wake upo one day and declare “independence”. At least the presidential patronage for now is OK. And it does not mean that the president would be against developmental ideas. Mangisha It is OK if the PF loses in 2016. That is what is meant by standing the test of time. We are not making a constitution for survival of PF but for the good governance of this country for a long time to come. It is not for any party. Even if they lost they would be still be remebered to have been a party that gave us the best Consititution ever.
A lot of issues have been mishandled.the Govt.appointments,bad policy pronouncements,victimization of citizens and incoherent cabinet actions,deceit and lack of spirited development programs are a sign of a failing state.What else is there to admire.Above all the so much firmed Contitution will fail to go through at referundum stage.Hunger will soon be experienced due to high cost of production.No factories in sight,no jobs and no money in people’s pockets
:d HELP
The president appoints literally everyone and can fire at will ? Please pipo talk about it. You know, today it is your relative or tribesman tomorrow it may be another one.
this father should go to the preaching of the gospel not politiking..we shall he learn to shut his big mouth
They will mutilate the clauses you’re suspecting as you did the chickens at the rallies.:d
#25 That is my only reservation. The President appoints and fires the Inspector General of police! That is just wrong. For some reason, our so called opposition and major stakeholders do not seem to realise that this is a major issue. How can the police have operational independence if they are scared of being fired?