Prominent Lusaka Lawyer and leader of the opposition United Liberal Party Sakwiba Sikota has charged that government’s position on certain provisions in the draft constitution has dampened people’s eagerness in taking part in the Constitution making process.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Qfm news, Mr. Sikota has also observed that the negative response of Zambians on the draft document is being perpetrated by the negative attitude by the ruling Patriotic Front on certain progressive clauses in the draft.
Mr. Sikota says it will therefore be catastrophic for the technical committee on drafting the Republican Constitution to come up with a document that will not be endorsed by the majority Zambians.
He says the Annel Silungwe led technical committee has had a tough time in reaching out to all Zambians and consequently receiving feedbacks in form of submissions on the ongoing consultative process which has twice been extended by 50 days.
Mr. Sikota has since urged the committee to carry along people’s aspirations in its deliberations if the process is to produce desired results.
The committee recently extended the consultative process by 50 days in order to accommodate the views of as many Zambians as possible.
[QFM]
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PF and MMD are the same people so only a naive person wud expect good and different things from MMD. They are slowly and dangerously manifesting the colours of MMD in power.  These are pipo who said the constitution shd be pipo driven but today we hear Kabimba and his president saying they dont want this clause and that clause e.g dual citizenship and 50+plus 1.Â
We should also have a clause in the constitution which states the maximum age of a Presidential candidate, e.g. it should never be above 60, for a start. If civil servants have to retire earlier than a President, what makes the president so special to be carrying out such important duties of leading a nation when they are so old?
Upnd and sata haters that is all wewe see on this blog. Change please. Your freefreedom of speach is amazing.Â
Iam not moved. Saki protector of criminals. How much aare you getting from siliti. :((
Junior, grow up! It shows…!
The opposition has done nothing to encourage and energize the people to comment on the draft constitution. They have no program to educate and sensitize the people leaving everything to govt.
Sikota can complain all he wants but his interests are the protection and defence of plunderers.
The opposition may not go on radio to tell people to make comments, government can. But the same government that wants people to make submissions is busy throwing out the major clauses! So what is the use of making submissions when the same government is saying no to critical clauses. Why not subject those clauses to a national referendum rather than one special mouth or two! Zambia has over 13 million people and to be silenced by one or two mouths makes the whole process just a PF process and not a people driven process. So why bother wasting my precious submission when the process is just a ploy? We expected better treatment and a more human process that respects the people! Let the committee and the PF finish the process and give Zambians their idea of a constitution!
l wouldnt cross the road to listen to this
I agree with the summary statement in paragraph one. It is the case that the enthusiasm and hope is diminishing for the process, especially if we will end up with the same as before.
We want to see the growth of our Constitution, which will be reflective of our people’s development.
Gundix,
I agree with you. The progressive ideas being floated include dual citizenship and 50+1 for elections. These were only in the MMD constitution that did make it in Parliament in 2011. If we voted down that MMD draft constitution what will the PF hold that is so superior to that one they voted out? It is a sheer waste of time and resources digging dead men’s bones! This current process should have been purely people driven. Any contentious issues subject them to a referendum and not State house or PF Secretary general!
@5. Everyone is entitled to legal representation no matter the type of crime. That is what human civilization is all about. Stop being an uncivilized cadre and join the human race.
@7. You would have been taken seriously if you had attempted to tell us the merits and demerits of Saki’s observations. Your cheap attempt at ridiculing the man says a lot about the emptiness of your head. When are you cadres going to grow up? Please focus on the issue Saki has raised in light of the country’s past experience with these constitutional commissions or committees. Let’s all raise the quality of our debate concerning national issues. Abash cadrerism!
saki screwed the gabon families-the man is the epitome of greed.He sold himself to RB and did all the dirty work in prosecuting mahtani and supported the failed constitution process led by late GK -so l would never cross the road to listen to this toad
However long it takes you in this process you will just continue eating up national resources that would have been used in other areas of life. I promise you that you will never exhaust all facets of Zambia Human existence. That’s the reason why you have different constitutions in different countries of the world. Its impossible to get a constitution that will carter for all bits and pieces. Information you already have is enough to conclude and let the nation move on. There are many trivialities that can be done through other legislative processes. Think twice, UNIP more than once, MMD did more than once, now PF is doing it. Very costly exercise. But when do you get convinced enough is enough? Let’s save government resources and move on, please. Â
I PERSONALLY THINK THE OPPOSITION SHOULD HAVE CHAMPIONED THE CONSTITUTION PROCESSING RATHER THAN SPENDING THEIR ENERGIES ON HATE, INCITING OF CITIZENS, AND BLOCKING ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PLANS. THIS IS ONE OPPORTUNITY AREA WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE SHOWN THEIR WORTHY. BUT MOST OF THEM (APART FROM CHIPIMO AND NAWAKWI) ARE ALL BITTER ABOUT THEIR ELECTION LOSSES TO THE EXTENT HH STOPPED SMILING- IF EVER HE HAS SMILED IN HIS LIFE AT ALL.
Peter,
You don’t know what you are talking about. If a process is well meaning, you do not need a championing. When people need change you have seen how they are ready to vote! You are dreaming my brother by thinking the opposition has not or is not doing much. The playing field is not leveled by the PF! If tyhat was the case the process would have been hugely embraced by well meaning Zambians. This is a constitution process for cadres who are looking for perks from State House!
He of no creditibility, whatsover.
Can Saki still be taken seriously on anything.
Saki, just shut up, you belong to no party, just get money from Rupiah’s family for defending them.
just check on sakis clientale list…you will observe that they are all corruption charges they are facing and he represents them without any shame on his face ataaaaa!!! then today want us to believe his “nobal” advise,my ass!
Sikota you are a nothing but a thieves protector, nothing else.Â
Mr Saki, tell members of your party to contribute instead of blaming other PF. I think there are no members, contributions are opens to everyone, just contribute Mr Saki. Â