The Technical Committee drafting the Zambian Constitution has extended it by 50 days the period in which stakeholders and members of the public should study and comment on the draft Constitution.
Committee spokesperson, Simon Kabanda said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the general public had been given up to July 31, to study the draft Constitution and make comments.
There have been calls from various stakeholders that the 40 days that were initially given was too little in which to study the document which was yet to be translated into local languages for easy understanding.
“In response to the public outcry for more time, the technical committee has extended the time-frame for stakeholders and members of the public to comment on the first draft Constitution from 40 to 90 days,” he said.
Mr Kabanda said feedback the committee had received from the launch of the draft Constitution April 30 this year indicated that people needed more time to study the contents of the first draft Constitution.
MMD national secretary, Richard Kachingwe said the party welcomed the decision by the committee to extend the deadline in which the public could study and comment on the national document.
Maj Kachingwe said the former ruling party had written to the committee to extend the period because some people had not accessed the document to yet.
“We had written to them because we realised that 40 days was too little to study the document. The Constitution is not about an overnight thing and we are happy that they extended,” he said.
Maj Kachingwe however noted that there was need to translate the draft Constitution into local languages as well as carry out massive civic awareness to enable people make informed decisions.
United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson, Charles Kakoma said the extension would not serve the purpose unless the draft Constitution was translated into local languages.
“It is clear that there was need to extend because the 40 days was too short. However, this exercise is a bit of a flop because the people are not reading the document in rural areas.
“I am in Zambezi here and a few copies that have reached here are in English and it means that many people cannot ready. So while we welcome the extension, we feel they should also translate and send copies to rural areas,” he said.
In a related development, draft Constitution copies that have been sent in various communities have gone on sale in some Lusaka’s townships.
A check in Kanyama during the week revealed that the document which should be given free to people in order to study, were sold as much as K5,000 per copy.
Meanwhile, Forum for Good Governance, Gender Equity and Justice the Government for having fulfilling the promise of coming up with a Constitution which would stand the test of time.
Mr Kayula said the Constitution making process had been a good development on issues of good governance and democratic development in the Province.
“However, we would have been happier to see a Legal framework that safeguards and protect the Constitution making process together with its table of contents. This would have made this process sufficiently protected by law,” he said.
Mr Kayula said the Constitution should give and extend powers to the Office of the Auditor General to audit, make arrests, prosecute, convict and consequently pass verdict on those found guilty of community claims on public resources.
The organisation recommended the electorate be given powers to recall a Member of Parliament through a vote of no confidence in case of failure to perform while mayors should be elected by the people instead of their fellow civic leaders.
He said apart from extending the period in which the public should study the draft Constitution, there was need to translate the document into local languages so as the people in rural areas voters could have an opportunity to read the document.
No.1
Actually what I’m saying is that:Zambia-1,Ghana-0
To all you doubting Thomases!
Do the technical committee want to equal the ZMK rake-in that the NCC got?
Let us get done with this job soonest. It is time to move forward.
What a waste of time, and money. Pamberi-e-Ukwa promised to have this thing ready in 90 days, belated as it is already his goons have extended by 50 days more. Ours must be the longest constitution making process, ever, and the product will no doubt be the most completely useless.
GOOD. AND DIASPORA ZAMBIANS SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON OTHER AREAS OF THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION RATHER THAN ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP WHICH TRULY WILL BE ABUSED LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE. YOU MEAN OUR COUNTRY CAN’T DEVELOP WITHOUT IT? I DEEPLY BELIEVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP IS GOING TO BE ABUSED AT BY ZAMBIANS AS WELL AS FOREIGNERS. ZAMBIANS AREN’T SO PATRIOTIC WHILE FOREIGNERS WILL DEFINITELY COME FOR WEALTH TO IMPROVE THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN. SOME COUNTRIES WILL EVEN BE SPONSORING THEIR CITIZENS TO ATTAIN IT.
Can you read what you have just written and decide if it is comprehensible?
#3, IS THAT THE FINAL RESULT OR ARE THEY STILL PLAYING?
Well, is this not the first draft? If the first one has been extended by 50 days, who knows by how many days the next draft will be extended?
I could not sleep last night,being a proud African and highly supersticous I had to go back to my Sangoma (Nkosikazi Nomzamo Madikizela) to inquire and acquire information on Zambia’s fate in today’s game.Dr.Nkosikazi Nomzamo Madikizela categorically indicated there is no way Ghana can beat Zambia-that it’s like trying to get blood out of a stone! Facts are stubborn things guys!
YOU JUST WANT MORE SEATING ALLOWANCES YOU PEOPLE
WHAT’S THERE TO EXTEND FOR WHEN U ALREADY KNOW WHAT WE ZAMBIANS WANT IN THE CONSTITUTION. YOU REALLY MAKE PEOPLE SICK !!!!!! YOU BEHAVE AS THOUGH YOUR EARS WERE CUT AT CHILDHOOD !!!!!
THINGS R VERY PLAIN N CLEAR, WE ZAMBIANS WANT:
1. 50% + 1 VOTE
2. VEEP AS RUNNING MATE
3. DUAL CITIZENSHIP
4. PARENTAL CLAUSE REMOVED ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
5. MOST IMPORTANT: ZAMBIA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION (DON’T EVEN TEMPER WITH THIS ONE)
THAT’S IT, WHAT ELSE DO U NEED !? CANCEL THAT 50 DAYS STRAIGHT AWAY !!!
To Peter…
The game is over…..
Zambia1,Ghana 0
Did he give a reason why they decided to ‘single source’ the POST to print the drafts?
#5 u are right waste of time and money full stop
Ukwa and his lieutenants have already poured scorn on some clauses of your draft constitution. Honestly no sane person expects Ukwa’s incompetent and tribal govt to deliver on anything other than on their criminality.
#9 I agree with an exception of the last point. If we declare a jewish God as our god, who will attend to our gods then? This inferiority complex of discarding our culture and embracing alien ones should come to an end with the new constitution. Did you ever hear an Arabic or European country declaring ‘mashabe’ or ‘minzimu’ as their national spirits? I think we Africans, especially Zambians, should stop kupusa chongololo style ati bazungu ba tikonde!
Did you mean @ 8 point 5? You have a point. Religion in general is a human creation and for Zambia, like many other nations, Christianity is not native but an acquired religion. This thing about religion is crap. Only in Science lies the facts and only in science is their light and only in science can we find innovation, novelty, technological advancement etc.
I agree with both of you totally and absolutely.
#13, I DON’T AGREE WITH #9 ON 3. DUAL CITIZENSHIP. ZAMBIA CAN DEVELOP WITHOUT IT. WHAT ZAMBIA NEED IS THE ALMOST COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF CORRUPTION, STRINGENT LAWS, SERIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, TOURISM AND AGRICULTURE.
Your contention about dual citizenship is the same as other people’s misgivings about the Christian Nations status and Death Penalty, as well as, you will be surprised the 50+1% and Running Mate inclusions.
The dual cirizenship clause is not necessarily about Zambia’s development alone. Its mostly about the convenience for Zambians living abroad. What is wrong with that? Are we who live abroad not Zambians who could also use some changes? We don’t want special favors. We just want some things to be easier. Which country that has dual citizenship have you ever heard of having problems as a result of that? According to statistics, Western Union remittances to Africa by those in the diaspora exceed donor funding. We’ve been a source of forex for a long time. Why treat us like we are useless cowards who ran away from solving problems? Zambia is full of Zaireans and other illegal nationals, even without dual citizenship. Its corruption that is the problem, not dual citizenship.
I agree with those who are saying the extention is not necessary. We know all the contentious issues that need to be addressed such as removal of the parentage clause, the 50 + 1 %, Veep running mate, Christian nation and dual citizenship. I would suggest that the technical committee should right now focus on having all the translations in local languages done prior to referedum. We want the citizenry to be well informed before they cast their vote on important issues. This notion of people living of sitting allowances should come to an end. The previous NCC gobbled trillions of tax payers money and we should guard against the repeat of such wastage in the name of not many people having had the time to study it. And who said you will have to study the whole document anyway?
Can someone tell me, who has everr studied the whole economics, engineering, mathmatics text books etc before graduating in respective field of experience? You concentrate in your area of interest or specialisation. I do not agree with this extention being made on the assertion of many people have not studied the document. Lets expedite this process and move on to other issues of national economic importance. Its only in Zed that Govt spend all their term they are elected tinkerling with the constitution. Chilluba regime sent five years on constitution making process, so did Mwanawasa and Rupial and now Sata. Are these politicians elected for the constitution making process or making Zed a better place for all through policies that encourage economic growth and prosperity for all?
Some people may feel that it is a sheer waste of time to comment on the document when at the the end of the day one man and one man only has the final say. I agree with #8 Yayayaya, they know what the people want
Just like the others before it, this constitution thing might turn out to be another constipation. Nice try!
I can see most of you commenting are in foreign lands. The people of Zambia wanted this extension for them to make submissions. I wonder how many of u here have made submissions or are you waiting for a farmer in Namwala to submit on your behalf? Very good at talking but no action. armchair critics!!!!!!!
good point.
@ 19, Kwekwe. What makes you think everyone else on the blog is more in a foreign country than you, because, in case you are blogging under the influence, guessing what? The flag you are carrying is foreign.
Are you privy? Can you tell us how you are able to tell that people in the diaspora are no contributing?
Kwekwe has not said anything about his own location, but he/she is right that most of us commenting are in foreign countries. He/she does not say that diasporians are not contributing. He/she just wonders how many are. It is a fact that many are not. Just because he/she might be living in a foreign country does not mean he/she is wrong about many of us commenting from foreign lands. Those who are in Zambia are facing a different reality and have their reasons to demand an extension. You can read English. What about the guys in Shang’ombo?
@ 20.1. Don’t` Equalize unnecessarily .Don`t put words in Kwekwe`s mouth. If you can infer, Kwekwe says most of you and not us, meaning he is an exception. Kwekwe furthermore wonders why Diaspora people are waiting for Sbd form Namwala to contribute meaning he is confident that Diasporans are not keen. Yours is a matter of conjecture and you are not helping.
@ 19 Kwekwe. I think Dual citizenship should be explained in simple terms. It simply means that Zambians living abroad can assume citizenship of other coutries and still remain citizens of zambia and can invest back home. It has worked out well for other countries. The problem is bloggers comment on things out of ignorance. How on earth can foreigners exploit this clause?? Be careful what you support, if it doesn’t afftect you now, it may affect your children. Dual citizenship should be supported by all well meaning Zambians
You’re right. I have the raised this question, which country ever suffered from dual citizenship? Never heard of it. I must say, though, that I do not see where Kwekwe is challenging dual citizenship. I think he is simply saying that those who are saying extension of the submission period is a waste of time are not putting into consideration the Zambians in Zambia who might need more time. Many of our people cant read English, and even for those of us who can, some jargon goes over our heads.
They should do away with the entire article 22. An entire article dedicated to the duties of the citizen is both patronizing and takes away rights from the public, instead of enshrining their rights.
22. (1) A citizen shall –
(a) uphold and defend this Constitution and any other law;
(b) contribute to the welfare and advancement of the nation by paying all taxes and duties lawfully due and owing to the State;
(c) protect and conserve the environment and utilise natural resources in a sustainable manner;
(d) maintain a clean and healthy living environment;
(e) provide defence and military service when called upon; and
(f) protect and safeguard public property from dissipation.
(2) A citizen shall endeavour to-
(a) acquire basic understanding of this Constitution and promote its ideals and objectives;
(b) register and vote, if eligible, in all national and local elections and referenda;
(c) be patriotic and loyal to Zambia, promote its development and good image and render national service whenever required to do so;
(d) develop one’s abilities to the greatest possible extent through acquisition of knowledge, continuous learning and the development of skills;
(e) contribute to the welfare and advancement of the community where that citizen lives;
(f) strive to foster national unity and live in harmony with others;
(g) promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law;
(h) co-operate with law enforcement agencies for the maintenance of law and order and assist in the enforcement of the law; and
(i) understand and enhance Zambia’s place in the international community.
*****
There is no place in a constitution for telling the citizenry of the country how they should behave. Again, this is highly patronizing and in fact dangerous. Do you really want anyone from the MMD determining whether you have been sufficiently patriotic in your endeavors?
Now it is your constitutional obligation to “co-operate with law enforcement agencies for the maintenance of law and order and assist in the enforcement of the law”? It is up to the police to enforce the law, not every citizen in the country.
Language like this has no place in a constitution.
The pros and cons of dual citizenship have been extensively belabored and the pros out way the cons. Furthermore, People in the Diaspora will be more contented to invest in Zambia if there mobility back and forth is unrestrained because then it makes it easy for them to monitor their investments unlike the status quo where they have to rely on friends, relatives and proxies whom, unfortunately, for the most part have turned out to be scammers.
Shooting down the proposal means Diaspora people will stay focused on investing where they are and who loses? It`s Zed.
Correct!
@5 PETER: I support you, No Need for DUAL CITIZENSHIP; it brings in Greed and will be abused. Either someone wants to be Zambian or OUT?? Leave Zambia to true Zambians who are proud. ONE CITIZENSHIP FOR ZAMBIANS ONLY.
PLEASE REMOVE THE DUAL CITIZENSHIP CLAUSE WE DON’T WANT IT.
People it equally means that any country in agreement with us can as well apply for dual citizenship…..if Zambians get dual citizenship say with SA they have equal opportunity to get Zambian citizenship and get apply for tenders and lets not forget they have the financial power over Zambians and will heavily invest in our mines reap all they can including tenders. Stop looking at it one sided it does reap off poor African countries in the long run……..Indirect Colonization through MONEY and honestly speaking Zambians luck entrepreneurship abilities
Let us adopt dual citizenship. Borrow from the American experience of giving some countries “preferential waiver”. Vetting should be done to decide how the history of a country has been closely intertwined, enriched or closely matched with ours. Forget the sentiments of our present politicians who might only have an axe to grind. Some are not even educated. They will be here today and gone tomorrow without consideration to posterity or future generations.
@ 26 SHEIK , Corruption is greed, nepotism is greed, selfishness is greed, tribalism is greed, cronyism is greed etc . If you live in Zambia, greed is rampant as these vices are profoundly practiced. Diaspora people on the other hand, because of their exposure to other business cultures can bring a semblance of transparency and clean business, and, while on it…on… Corruption, Zambia should take a leaf from Ruanda. It now ranks as the #1 less corrupt nation in Africa. It even beats some EU countries like Spain.
@ 27. Zero Boyz, where have you been? Zambia is already neocolonized. Chinese are running our mines and South Africans are running various business sectors. Siphoning of money has all along been going on, under your nose.
Being the “First Draft”, they should have closed the doors, taken the changes and come up with the second draft.
Extending the time will not make more people read it. Zambians are too lazy, too unwilling to lift a finger to better their lives.
Yes, we are highly indebted, we are poor, uneducated and riddled with disease, but it is because we think that these problems are someone else’s.
That it is someone else’s job to fix these things, to pick up garbage, to come up with a cure, to put money in our pockets, to read the constitution and change it.
Wake up my brothers, open your eyes and see that the world will not wait for you. No one has any sympathy for you. Just work hard and make your country and a better place.
Let he who has an ear, listen.
Total stupidity! The extention (50 days) longer than the original (40 days)!
Zambian youth this is our time. let us participate fully in the constitution process. there will be no generation such as this one..we the are the Choosen generation. Let do it.