Hundreds of Zambians thronged the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to press for the immediate release of the final draft constitution.
Political party leaders, civil society groupings, church leaders, the student movement and ordinary citizens joined hands in prayer, song and dance calling on the PF government to deliver a new constitution.
The national prayer meeting dubbed Rescue the Constitution kicked off at 14 Hours until 16 Hours and passed off without any incidents of violence.
Armed police in riot gear were stationed at the Cathedral hours before the event to provide peace and security.
All the political party leaders present were allocated a maximum of two minutes to make brief speeches.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema who was welcomed to the podium to loud chants from his supporters said if there is one thing that Zambians must get from the PF government, let it be the constitution.
“There are no political parties here, this is just a gathering of Zambians who want their constitution and Zambians will get their constitution, Sata or no Sata,” Mr Hichilema charged.
“Today I don’t want to speak as a party leader but as a citizen who wants to wrestle our constitution from the jaws of a big snake that wants to gobble our constitution.”
He added, “We need a new constitution. This is the same bad constitution which delivered a minority President. Sata is a minority President because of this same bad constitution and we need to change that.
All our problems in this country, nurses strike, the public order act are because of a bad constitution Mr Hichilema said President Sata should choose whether he gives Zambians the constitution or not adding that he is a minority president who is not capable of running the country.
Heritage Party President Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda said the constitution is Zambia’s heritage.
“The constitution is about our heritage, I know there is a political party with that name but this fight for a new constitution is about protecting this country and we should all join in,” Brigadier General Miyanda said.
He also reminded Zambians that President Sata has allegedly committed several impeachable offences under the existing constitution.
“We must not only think about the new constitution but also protect the current one that is being breached with impeachable offences.”
Speaking earlier, ADD President Charles Milupi lamented that God and the angels in heaven are feeling sorry for President Sata.
[pullquote]the PF on page 42 of its manifesto says it shall constitute a committee of experts to review past constitution reviews with the aim of enacting a new constitution. What does shall mean? When I looked at my Thesaurus it told me that shall means a solemn promise. Now this same PF is now saying they will only do amendments. So the question that begs an answer is, has the PF changed its manifesto?”[/pullquote]
“The heavens must be looking down and asking Sata why have you brought this upon yourself’?
He said Zambians want a new constitution that will balance arms of government and make Zambia great and prosperous.
“Zambians want a new constitution that will harness the energies and resources found in this great country to unleash its full potential. Zambians want a new constitution that will prevent reckless international borrowing.”
And NAREP leader Elias Chipimo urged all Zambians to join the crusade for a new constitution. “What you need for evil to take over is for good men to be silent,” he said.
Mr Chipimo who quoted the famous Plato saying that the price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men and he encouraged everyone to stand up and fight for a new constitution.
“My message to President Sata, you claim you can hear our conversations in our bedroom, that means you can hear what we are saying here and the message is you are on the wrong side of history. Come and join us.”
ABZ President Fr Frank Bwalya announced the relaunch of his famous red card campaign and went round the cathedral distributing the red cards.
“The red card campaign was about three issues and the first one was the constitution and most of you remember. People of Eastern Province have asked me to be consistent and restart the campaign and am hereby announcing that the red card campaign against this government has started,” Fr Bwalya said.
MMD Acting President Michael Kaingu said the PF should release the final draft constitution now.
He said the arrogance being existed by the PF today will get them out of office in 2016. He said,” I wish to remind the PF that this very arrogance we are seeing cost the MMD the 2011 elections.”
FDD Spokesman Antonio Mwanza said it is sad that Zambia has been struggling with the constitution making process for so long.
“As a student union leader at UNZA, I started fighting for a new constitution and I remember my son was just two years old and we are here again fighting for the same constitution but now my son is 10 years old now. As Zambians we are not prepared to wait any longer for the constitution,” Mr Mwanza said.
Other speakers from the civil society groups emphasized the need for unity and sustained pressure on government for it to release the final draft constitution.
Law Association of Zambia Vice President George Chisanga said the constitution making process has to come to an end.
“Unfortunately, this process has taken so long to conclude. As LAZ, our position is that release the final draft now and without any amendments,” Mr Chisanga said.
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection Director Fr Leonard Chiti reminded President Sata that he promised to govern the country under the principle of 10 commandments.
“President Sata said he will rule by 10 commandments one of those is thou shalt not give false evidence against your neighbour.”
He said, “the PF on page 42 of its manifesto says it shall constitute a committee of experts to review past constitution reviews with the aim of enacting a new constitution. What does shall mean? When I looked at my Thesaurus it told me that shall means a solemn promise. Now this same PF is now saying they will only do amendments. So the question that begs an answer is, has the PF changed its manifesto?”
Fr Chiti said the PF government must be truthful over the issue of the constitution.
“The Bible says the truth shall set you free. This Government should tell us why we cannot have a constitution now. The technical committee says Government is to blame for delays, the technical committee on the other says it is Government. Who is telling the truth?”
Outgoing Women for Change Executive Director Emily Sikazwe said it is shameful that from 1964, Zambians are still talking about the constitution.
“Successive governments have thrived on divide and rule. We need to say to ourselves that this is the last time we will gather to demand for a constitution.”
Church leaders from the three church mother bodies and the Islamic Supreme Council were the last to speak and prayed for unity as Zambians push for a new constitution.
Zambia Episcopal Conference General Secretary Fr Cleopas Lungu charged that the PF government lacks integrity to deliver a people driven constitution.
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Executive Director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza said the PF government is a lying government that cannot be trusted.
Interesting !
We need to as a people take responsibility over the future of our motherland. Let us all unite and show these politicians that there lifespan is not only limited to an elective 5 years but that they will be prosecuted and Jailed if they don’t heed to what we’re saying.
President Sata – We will get our Constitution, whether you understand what’s contained in the draft document or it’s beyond your level of understanding. Please know that we will toss you or anybody seen as a stumbling block out.
ba LT at: Placards denouncing Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba over the constitution
meanwhile the picture only has people in the cathedral hehe lol, change the caption please
Well done Zambians. I am with you all the way though I may be far away.
This how Zambians start to heat up the demands. Eventually it will be the streets if Sata does not release the constitution.
WE WANT THE CONSTITUTION RELEASED BY THE END OF JANUARY 2014 OR ELSE ??????????????????????????????????
SATA and PF IGNORE THIS DEMAND AT YOUR PERIL!
KK CHILUBA WE FORGAVE, BUT SATA WE SHALL LYNCH.
Amazing!!, I never expected so much magnitude could gather to denounce Sata in public, freely, even for a single minute.
On this issue I do not support my party PF!
More Pressure apo!!!!!
Ba Sata, you must be on the RIGHT side of History.
way to go zambians, MCS need to remember who put him plot 1.
It’s ironic Zambia chased Sir Roy and replace him with the likes of Sata. Colonialism seem to never have left Zambia with the departure of Sir Roy, No no no, it only chdanged names. Oppression, Police brutality &exploitation left in the inherent barbaric colonial Sir “Roy” Raphael Welensky Constitution which continues to breed bad leaders that are heartless, leaders that oppress citizens just like their colonial masters and the source of our economic exploitation- Abash Sir Roy Constitution, Abash PF!!
Why should Zambians embody a system that colonised, enslaved and plundered Zambians for decades?? TIME HAS COME TO CHANGE, ENACT A PEOPLE DRIVEN CONSTITUTION!. No amount of lies or propaganda will work this time, let freedom rain!! Mr Sata, just deliver the constitution
sampa telling the ZWD, “we shall smoke them out” and then he ended up being smoked out instead. now kabimba thinks he will out wit the zambians through his gymnastics on the constitution but he should be rest assured that at the end of it all he will be out witted instead
The only problem is that the majority of the electorate are in rural areas where the constitution means almost nothing! PF needs to be gotten rid of regardless!
It is my prayer that God does not intervene in this nonsense! It is you Zambians who voted and not God! Let’s not involve God in our mistakes. Malabishi!!!
LOL. wow! now that’s a rare request. I am sure when it lands in God’s inbox He will say ‘wow!’ too, but rest assured God fully hears your prayers understands your point of view and the frustrations we all have to endure to put up with Sata’s senselessness .
The current constitution is very bad because it encourages citizens not to think and lets leaders take advantage of citizens……we need a constitution that allows power sharing across institutions of governnance,this will help us benefit from new ways of thinking…..
“I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies.”
C’mon Zambians,all you got to overcome is Sata & Kabimba .This two have a bigger enemy to overcome which is their own evil,selfish designs on this constitution.
Tend to disagree with you on Kabimba. No one ever elected Kabimba not even at Branch level. His merely saving his master.
Sata – With or without you, we will get our constitution, but please I beg that you stopp wasting our precious time.
amaka pa chende
why is sata holding on the national constitution under his unshaved armpit as if its his?
He wants someone to read it for him in Bisa line by line. Can’t read English.
No serving Zambian government can ratify a constitution with an electoral 50+1 clause in it. At least we should have vouched for the Electoral College Model as is in the US so that elections are decided in areas like Lusaka where the economy really is a factor!
@LORD VOLDEMORT:
But you forget that even your proposal needs a new constiyution! Wake up man….stop dreaming!
Also, Zambia doesnt need something as complex as the American model which will be too costly to implement….you need to be Original in thought not just coppying anything and everything you saw or heard in the USA!! You sound like another CNP and no better than even SataN!
You are dull. My statement was centered on a provision of the constitution and the constitution in its entirety. Get you head out of your behind and start thinking straight motherf#*cker!
Apparently there is a new “hot dog” on the State House menu that is getting people intoxicated with an effect like marijuana. The “hot dog” is called “cork burger”. The cork burger is disgusting to eat, as you can tell, there is little left to the imagination regarding the ingredients but the only plus side on why it has become popular with one individual is that it prolongs life for prostate cancer patients!
@LORD VOLDEMORT:
No one here is interested in or talking about hot dogs or anything childish like that except you! We are talking about important constitutional issues!
With useless people like you, no wonder our country has been stagnant for many years and dogs like SataN are even able to take advantage and rule us!
Get your senses back if you ever had any otherwise keep your a.r.s.e shut!
@Chilyata- Evidently you are a Sata crony. Sadly, dog-human mixed bred douchebags like you do not understand that the PF only reacts when they are insulted.
You claim to know what you are talking about, why did you respond to my insults- my statement exactly, PF cadres only respond when insulted. You’ve been exposed faggot!
HH if President Sata is a minority President then what are you because the man clobbered you right , left and centre. If fact if elections were held today you can still be clobbered because you are heading a tribal grouping and not a political party.
Facts are that UPND are standing their ground and are making breakthroughs in Central and Northwestern Provinces. HH can win the presidency and Sata knows it. Everytime HH attacks Sata, he gets seriously offended, that must tell you something. In 2016, the electorate will be demotivated and there is likely to be a low turn out, and with low turn outs, be guaranteed that if your friends won’t come out to support you, be assured that your enemies will!
HH is right. A majoritan president gets 50+1 percent of the vote. Check the figures again
@chidume cha chipata:
HH lost the last election NOT because he is stu.pid BUT because voters were foolish enough to vote for an ID.IOT like SataN who has now turned against them…so dont blame HH but foolish Zambians like yourself!
However, from the last prayer gathering for the constitution, people now know that the devil is in SataN and Kabimba and will vote for HH.
So get it in your head that HH’s message of hope in 2016 wont change – what will change at the next elections is the VOTERs’ views about SataN! It will be foolish for most people to start dancing to that song of “Donchi ku beba” or to celebrate lies AGAIN….even for the people from Chupata!!
Sata !
You declared you will rule Zambia by God’s 10 Commandments. ( Not that we believed when you said those words.)
The 10 Copies of the Constitution you are keeping at Nkwazi House, represent ” Each One” of God’s 10 Commandments.
Therefore, don’t insult God’s, curse yourself, but rather abandon your crookedness, lies and for once in your presidency, do the right thing.
You are a lone on this issue and on the wrong side.
If you correct yourself on this issue, you will be abiding to 2 of the 10 Commandments. Which means you would have passed the test.
Aikona wena, don’t give them reasons to justify the 10 copies!
I agree with you, he needs to consult the 10 Commandments, do the right thing by hand it back to the people
Sata the satire! It’s unbelievable he is holding hostage a whole country of 13 million people!
…that is what fooo.lish people do and SataN is one of them!
@Chilyata- Why do you not have an opinion on your own? You comment on other statements but lack anything to show for it. You criticize me, The Dark Lord, for my statements but here you are cowering like a toddler who has just heard thunder for the first time. Grow a sack and practice gymnastics to bend over and suck on it, it’s good therapy for dog-human mixed breeds like yourself!
The man did declare six guns as part of his arsenal that constituted a substantial portion of his net worth at the time of enlisting his presidential candidature. He is neither a hunter nor a poacher! Under these circumstances, Mr. Sata’s liking for guns is conspicuous. Need we have paid any attention to this or not? As usual, Zambians are ever so innocent, ever so naive and ever so permissive.
An average Zambian does cannot afford even a knife, much less a bow and arrow. With six guns under his belt, Mr. Sata is now the commander-in-chief of Zambia Army, the Air Force and the Police! Is he not powerful? Yes, he is and frighteningly so. Any wonder he can hold the whole country hostage on a matter as important as the constitution!
Praises in the Highest. My profound gratitude to all Zambians who participated in the historic event to rescue the constitution. You and me at individual level can do nothing, but together we can win. With God on our side, we will triumph over evil. Though absent, my heart goes with them that were there. We share the same vision. I love you Zambians for this galant cause.
I just wonder why the PF’s popularity seems to wean so fast? it took three decades for UNIP & two decades forMMD? But two yrs for PF. Their infighting has done them no good or is it not knowing what to do and hope things will sort themselves out. Can someone explain.
HH just as i was agreeing with your statement that ”there are no political parties here” then you made a mistake by saying ”there are only zambians.” you should said there are only spineless,desperate, good for nothing scumbags, chalartans, demagogues, alamists, bitter,envious men and women who failed where pf succeeded and now want winner takes it all.
Surely the likes of chi bafoon chi miyanda, nakatoba mayanda nawakwi, umu coloured wafonka pamenso saunders, husband snatchers CSOs. What a gathering of feel good today characters.
It’s true HH may win 2016 elections.I think Bemba speaking people won’t vote in 2016.I’m one of them who is dissapointed with sata and i won’t cast my vote becuase i don’t also support HH either.I’ll be watching the space.Chimudala chayonawila.Maybe God wants to confuse Sata so that he lose elections in 2016.Becuase, a normal person can’t behave like Ba Sata for the past months.I’m worried with our dear president we loved.Something is wrong with him.Please God us our president to start thinking well agin.
Nothing wrong with him. Just the same old rotten man who knew how to manipulate. There comes a time when lies start to catch up with you and that’s what’s happening to this old man. Should be in a nursing home but would rather die of old age as president so that he takes advantage of the state machinery.
Ba Moscow who told you that HH will win in 2016? Who told you that the bembas are divided? Look at Mansa bye elections. Landslide victory for PF. HH is known in parts of Southern, Western and NW. You think HH can be voted in Northern, Luapula, CB, Central, Lusaka, Eastern, Muchinga? You must be dreaming. By the time 2016 is approaching, the Kitwe-Chingola dual road will be done, 80% of link Zambia will be done, pave Zambia will be done, ZR repairs will be done, New Airport will be 70% done, Chingola-Solwezi will be done, L400 will be done, all universities will be completed, hospitals will be completed. HH will really need to work hard really. PF won’t campaign because all developmental projects will b there to show. Well done PF.
@CNN
Continue dreaming in coocoo land! HH and UPND are gaining grounds very fast. As things stand he is the only alternative.
Rupiah Banda and MMD also had massive infrastructure being done but he lost.
Freedom is coming. Sata might just turn out to be the best thing ever to happen to Zambia. We need him to do all the wrong things a president can do so we can say “Never, never again, shall we allow one man to take advantage of the people of the republic of Zambia”. If you love your country then let’s press on! We want our constitution and we want it now!
Zambians are st.u.pid and docile people! You were saying the same thing about Chiluba but wrong things have continued up to today with SataN!
Remember that if you plant maize you will not get ground nuts or if you vote for monkeys you will not get humans in Govt. You just need to vote for sensible leaders – not uneducated ones like current ones!
But that is may be too much for Zambians who just cant do it because they eat, and breathe through tribes! So enjoy your choice!
@Chilyata, it is a shame that you do not understand much about Zambia. The majority of Zambians are from the rural areas and pretty much feel unaffected by the constitution. Sadly, you are so cliche and stupid that you do not even realize it. But as they say; When you lie to yourself too often, you start to believe your own lies.
PF supporters like you are like turkeys cheering for X-mas!
we now know better and want more from our leaders, if anyone wants to survive zambian policts in this age, they need to realise that commading, wanting excessive power and calling citizens stupid *****s is long gone. we vote for you morons to do what the people want and not the other way…. zambians deserve better, we have been at the mercy of these poloticians for too long.
kaponya ni kaponya even when you put suits on these thugs there are still common thugs from the market and *****s vote them into power stupid *****s
The Kaponya will keep on ruling. I would rather be ruled by a Kaponya than an educated f.o.o.l who can’t even manufacture a needle. It is you eduacted i.d.i.o.ts who act like uneducated fellows. Full of pride for nothing. You will die of BP an educated f.o.o.l
I am sure there is a paper somewhere that is preparing to parade one priest called Luonde as their one-man voice of the church against everything that was said and suggested at yesterday’s meeting!
I have no idea why this PF government is creating unnecessary problems for itself. This Constitution issue has the potential to sink PF if they are playing with Zambians.
Zambians are NOT as stup!d as arrogant politicians would like to think. Remember the THIRD TERM no.ns.en.se of Chiluba and how that worked out for him?
President Sata more than anybody should heed this call by Zambians. He should know better from the aborted Chiluba third term bid how Zambians, like today, gathered and opposed him and his cliché. Gatherings like today can only gather momentum as they move forward. Once they have a life of their own, it is hard to stop them.
I am reminded of that timeless, prophetic song by the late Bob Marley ” you can cheat some people some time but you can’t cheat all the people all the time.”
Well done Zambians. Zambia is bigger than Sata, than Wynter and than PF.
@ CNN – Shocking to hear some Zambians still believe in Sata PF government.
How much more destructive ideas should Sata PF invent before CNN and the likes can know between wrong and wright?
Zambia shall be saved.
CNN, you are just a dull tribal chap still leaving in past glory. Wait for next elections.
Please repent and start see things clearly.
This hulla boo will die its natural death. Tomorrow it is business as usual. Go and surround Plot 1, nobody be allowed to go in and out till Sata resigns. Tell army and police to stay away or else they will be ex-communicated.
Our elders shall sit down and chalk out a program who will take over from Sata when he is flushed out from Plot 1. Where will he be taken and what happens to fellow ministers, DC and Permanent secretaries who have been in league with him? Within which time frame fresh elections will be held and what type of constitution will be enacted, and whether before or after fresh elections?
At Aquilla and Dodo don’t cheat yourselves. You are pathetic tribalists who by whatever means you want your candidate to come to power. As I have said I am not PF but let me tell you that Sata is always a step ahead of you. The more you demonize him, the more people likes him. Let me tell you that about 90% of the villagers know nothing about the constitution issues. They don’t even know that there are online medias such as Lusaka times, Watch puppies, tunfweko etc. Besides villagers are the major voters. On the other hand, I have seen same bloggers condemning Sata. I move all over Zambia and I know what I am talking about. 90% of the villagers like PF. OnCB, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Eastern, Central even part of Southern is for PF. Even the 50+1 you cry for won’t change anything
At Dodo and Aquilla me to repent at what? You must be shallow minded. Don’t portray as if the PF has lost popularity. Infact they gaining more ground. I am not PF but I can see it through the bye elections. Mind you voters in the villages hardly know about the constitution issues and the online medias such as LT, Zambia Watch puppies, tumfweko etc and they are the major voters. I am more informed than you. I have been all over Zambia and I take people’s views. I move a lot all over Zambia and PF has gained more strides. The fact is PF will win as no 1, MMD no 2 and UPND no 3. You will deny it at your own peril. PF is popular in CB, Luapula, Northern, Central, Muchinga, part of S and 90% of Lusaka and Chongwe is theirs. Upnd is Southern, part of W and NW. MMD is Easten, part of CB rural
@Wanzelu am not dreaming. Keeping on hoping maybe one day your candidate will win. However let me tell you that 90% of the Zambia population hardly have access to internet and much more the online medias such as LT, Watch puppies, Tumfweko etc. The same bloggers are found on LT, WD, Tumfweko and I have done the statistics, they are less than 120 bloggers. Out of 120 bloggers about 50 of them are ant Sata and the rest are objective analysts. You will cut my finger if the anti Saata bloggers can change things. 90% of the villages still believe in PF. Whether you like it or not the PF will win 2016. Keep on dreaming.
Is this the same Sata’s PF Govt that wants us to believe they have what it takes to revive INDECO and make it viable for the betterment of the Zambian people, when Sata is evidently failing to keep his promise on a people-driven- constitution? This is like a bad joke. Sata is really insulting people’s intelligence, just like KK did, and just like MMD did.
Just how Sata can with such utter impunity call his own cabinet ministers “icipuba” and smear them with every other profane and vulgar epithet that the most indecent fancy could conceive and still get away with it vexes me deeply indeed! Though the most troubling fact is how they all seem to be so eager to take it lying on their laurels. Mwendi ki niti ki litoto!
Zambians are largely to blame for all the mess eating us, imagine electing an illiterate an abominable act, wat is his academic standard? that he bot fake degree from a private university in USA Viiva HH!
But zoona niba CNP! They don’t that this can be the begining of their end.
some one is putting on a hat in church is it in order?
Ba PF…muichindike!!!! we are not fools like the “EDUCATED FOOL” Winter. Zambia is your mother’s Kantemba. Am not surprised why your marriages are not stable..you are simply bad managers.
This constitution you are planning to forge will haunt you in the future…unless you have plans of making a rotten constitution and run away to Baghdad…
Ubupuba kubukulu !! what more when you were kids????
Fuuuuseki!!!!
I can smell a surprise from Sata. The Man was very close to FTJ and knows the language to speak to get people to his side. I believe , in a few months time, a roadmap for the constitution process will be made and the issue of Chitimkulu will be resolved. The fact is , no President would want to be demeaned the way things are currently done, and I remember it happened when Mwanawasa was reviewing the constitution that the Oasis Forum had become so antagonistic which resulting in banning it. Sata is experienced and knows what to do.