President Sata has refused to budge to pressure to release the final draft constitution to the public.The President said the country already has a functional constitution and the state will not be pushed into fast and reckless conclusions by individuals with dubious agendas.
On the 4th January 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.
However the PF government described the meeting as a deliberate plot by opposition parties and Civil Society organisations to discredit government.
Below is the Full Press statement
LUSAKA, Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, says it is unfortunate that the constitution-making process has been hijacked by individuals whose objective is to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the sovereign will of the masses.
President Sata says the recent biased political manoeuvres surrounding the process confirm the ill-intentions of the persons at the helm of this misplaced crusade.
“Right from the start, this Government has been dedicated to the process, no wonder the committee handling the matter was left without any interference. But it’s clear that the well intended process has been hijacked to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the will and interest of the majority of Zambians,” President Sata said.
“Thus, as elected representatives and custodians of the Zambian people’s interests, we feel duty bound to protect the masses from those that have hijacked this noble process. We contend that with the current political schemes and ill-intentions, it will be highly irresponsible for us as people’s representatives to authorise the release of this document before it goes through Cabinet.”
The President says the country already has a functional constitution and the state will not be pushed into fast and reckless conclusions by individuals with dubious agendas.
Issued by:
GEORGE CHELLAH
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Governing through press statements. We might as well start calling him President of the Republic of Zambia, HE Mr George Chellah since he is the only one who has anything and everything to say about anything that is happening in the country directly to the people of Zambia more than the person that was elected to do so!
Just how much of his personal Money did Zondwa put in the whole constitution making process.
If Zondwa’s personal contribution is “CHUMBU MUNSHOLOLWA”, why keep the document which is not only yours but that which you didn’t put in any personal resource.
stupidity of the worst kind. shifting goal posts every minute on things that are straight forward. I wish I had not gone to school may be I would not be bothered by this 1diocy in our country
That Cabinet the Constitution will be tabled is itself corrupt and being chaired by a CHUMBU MUNSHOLOLWA and one expect anything good to come out of it? The problem with African tyrannies is that they turn public institutions into their own personal apparatus and expect every one to dance to their tune- no wonder many are over thrown by disgruntled or rogue soldiers.
I couldn’t agree more ! Spot on ba Cobra !
Why lean on the a table, while the other man look amused? All the sudden hands are no longer moving in the pockets.
Here is another surprise for you from “Chitongo Chumbu Mushololwa”
Sata has briefed his cabinet that they should change the constitution so that the next general election should be held in 2018 and then every 7 years after that.
I will brief you on more other constitutional changes being proposed by Sata in due course as he tries to copy the North Korean and Chinese system.
Don’t say I never warned you. Now is the time to nip it in the bud.
This statement is a replica of the post editorial of Monday. Mmembe is really directing the agenda of this nation.
Sata need to go and take some diplomatic classes at NIPA. How can he respond to citizens through ka Chella?
I even wonder why I am responding to Sata… Now I start to wish to attend his funeral, to see how many Zambians will mourn him.
PF should realize that more Zambians rejected them than those who voted for PF.The winner takes all electoral system is responsible for this mess.Sata should therefore have this in mind when he talks as if his PF has majority Zambians on his side.
Only a coup de dart can save Zambia now 🙁
Hello
Chitongo ninani?
I think Sata napena!
What more do Zambians want to hear? This man is not one to talk to. THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED! LET THE REVOLUTION START!
Doctoring constitution ka??
Its PF that’s Hijacking it and betraying their own PF manifesto page 42.
Also, Never compare PF to MMD. MMD lost power for failure to deliver the constitution. Zambians gave PF the governing mandate to deliver-a People driven Constitution! Unless you are concede defeat! You entered a social contract with the Zambia people in your Manifesto under page 42. That;“the PF government shall: review all previous Constitutional Review Commissions submissions thru a Committee of Experts for submission to a referendum and enactment only, by the National Assembly. (PF Manifest page 42),”Therefore, No amount of lies or propaganda will work this time. Why the lies and deception Mr Sata, just deliver the constitution in accordance with the social contract entered -Your PF manifesto, nothing less!!
As for Our colleagues in uniform, the ideals we are fighting for are their ideals too- a better constitution, a free Zambia from poverty and oppression. There comes a time in Zambia’s history for all our colleagues in uniform to defend posterity-the enactment of a new constitution. It’s about your economic rights and freedoms- don’t defend that one person (the liar, deceiver and betrayer of our TRUST and that social contract in his own PF manifesto page 42), but rise to the higher moral calling-defending the new constitution enactment and the Zambian people. To you all uniformed who don’t believe in oppression and tyranny rise and defend the cause for a new constitution. Its a revolutionary act!! We demand a new constitution, no more lies, deception or sheer propaganda from Sata!!
There goes CHUMBU MUSHOLOLWA in his usual style of governance. His fellows surrounding him know what is right and honourable but they fear him to their bone marrow, they confort themselves by saying ” we ALL join government to EAT”, true and fit to be called NCHELELEBULAs.
Yes.
Questions time Mr Sata; Why should Zambians embody a colonial constitutional system that colonized, enslaved and plundered them using police brutality for decades??
And why should they support and trust you on constitution in view of your many lies and breaches on the many promises you made to Zambians-some so simple to fulfill( where is the information bill, public order act, free airwaves -radio and TV, lower taxes-now higher prices, more jobs, clean cities-now see the dirt in Lusaka central, no shanty compounds etc), Why should Zambians trust yo failed WORDs when your actions are contrary to the constitution technical committee terms of reference and your own PF manifesto page 42? Why should Zambians trust you, Mr Sata?? Only action demanded-no less- Just deliver a new constitution!!!
This is shocking. 90days new constitution baletu gonga fye!!!!!
This is shocking and I agree with you but please get over the 90 days ffs.
@Guy Scott – it is not about 90 days, it is about the principle of having a new constitution. I can foresee that this will end like Chiluba’s 3rd term bid…here the PF is on the collision course with the people of Zambia.
can you please name the hijackers…i know one of them is your boy; winter maize…the masses rallied at the cathedral to wake you up from your deep sleep. YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN A MANDATE BY THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE but alas! you people are not delivering as expected. give the people what is due to them in good time.
If this document was released by ZWD many bloggers will have said it was not from state house but fabrictateed. What a statement from the chief propagandist of a new constitution in 90 days when in the opposition! Now today the same person is saying there is already a functioning constitution, what a joke of a president? One of the reasons why many Zambians voted PF was because they believed in your lies that you would deliver a people driven constitution and now you want to backtrack? Even Lucifer is better than this govt.
I meant fabricated and not fabrictateed in the first sentence.
people now believe in the watchdog my bro’.twalibachetekela
There you go!! This statement by Chellar the best Description of the maneuvers of Sata over the constitution! No political or religious has hijacked the process, it is Sata himself who has done so! He describes the situation so clearly the way he is doing it and projects it to imaginary political and religious individuals! God save us please! The draft constitution going to PF cabinet where no one talks except Sata!!!????? It is finished!!!!!
@Namona, my religion tells me that God helps those who help themselves. We as a people need to make the first steps of liberating ourselves from the shackles of this oppressive regime and then God’s providence will flow to bring our actions to completion.
@Namona, I agree with you. True/correct decription of what sata is doing. He has hijacked the constitution…
Shame!!!
George is it not the PF who said MMD was taking to long with the Constitution and PF will have one in 90days. Was it not President Sata who stated the constitution need to be changed. All we are asking for is the process to be transparent. not viewed behind closed doors. Freedom of information means the public is free to view all public documents. And besides cabinet is not the law making wing of government its parliament. Let it be taken to parliament.
What is PF hidding twebeniko
The wheels came off the zambian bus the day this PF clowns took over.Now they don’t want us to know the brakes are failing too.
The President is again Right, Cabinet must approve first how could you throw a constitution on the internet written in amaturish manner let cabinet look through amend and public will see it. People just talk in zambia and yet they don’t read, atleast cabinet they will read thru and coment well cos. PF has alot educated ministers
What are the qualifications of the people in cabinet? Is this the same cabinet that gave the name Gabon disaster heroes national stadium? If so we are in trouble!
@ Anyoko, are you saying that the committee of experts your president appointed can produce an imaturish document? What an insult to your president because you are saying that he does not understand what the word expert means. The people who compiled this document are really experts and include professors and constitutional lawyers with 10s of years of experience. If anything, this cabinet is the most uneducated starting from its chairman. They are the least likely to understand the document.
Anyoko – Please note that the Constitution is written in English and NOT BISA.
Zondwa doesn’t know how to read common English, how about a document as the Constitution. Please
The national constitution – a set of rules that citizens have agreed to rule themselves and to be ruled by – is not a partisan issue to be subjected to the politics of the stomach or appeasement. This changing of the leopard’s spots to suit the egos of the people in cabinet is driving people’s patience to a point of no return. Kaunda, Chiluba and Banda were stopped in their tracks as they tried to perpetuate ills to benefit themselves. Zambians have the tenacity to stop Sata in his tracks too. Many dictators in world history have thought they had the magic formula to control the masses. Ask Hitler, Mussolin, Stalin, Gaddafi, Saddam, Shaka, Napoleon, Louis IV – the list can go round the world twice over.
Members of Cabinet (President, VP and Cabinet Ministers only-no deputy ministers) do not read long complicated and technical documents such as a draft constitution. It will be given to the Secretary to the Cabinet and PSs who will read through and make recommendations on what Cabinet should and should not adopt . I can see a Committee of senior govt officials being constituted to go to Chaminuka, Protea Chisamba etc to go and deliberate on the draft and make the recommendations to Cabinet (adopted/not adopted style). Cabinet is, however, not obliged to agree with all recommendations. Even Ministers cannot oblige the Chairman-President. This is the White Paper method. Well, let us hope for the best from our Head of State.
The Constitution should be released now. If Sata is a stumbling block, let’s pretend he doesn’t exist and we have it enacted ourselves.
This OLD RUG is a shear waste of my precious VOTE. NEVER AGAIN.
“…But it’s clear that the well intended process has been hijacked to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the will and interest of the majority of Zambians,” President Sata said….” Which majority Zambians are they talking about?? Does Sata, Chellah plus Kambwili make up majority Zambians??? The pipo have spoken let Chumbu Munshololwa Listen!!!!!!
President is right. Zambians shall just shut up and wait for the due process of cabinet clearance before the draft is released to the public.
Zondwa, Ukwa, Chumbu Munshololwa is even failing to walk unaided, holding onto the table – someone should buy him walking stick or a wheelchair!!
Give us our constitution, we paid for it, iwe kwalala!!!
So today, the Church and Civil Societies have become Hijackers ba TASA???
Dude, totally flattered that you would use my identity. Little suggestion though, call yourself dudelove1 or duderylove or something.
This guy wouldnt have been a president even in the stone age,his thinking is always erratic and since he became president hes never made sense!
You were warned that he has no leadership quality.
Where are those image builders RB hired in 2011? How can king Cobra dress like this for a cabinet meeting? He looks like a choir master in that suit.
WRITTEN BY FRED NAMAKANDO MMEMBE ON BEHALF AILING PRESIDENT TO BE PUBLISHED BY GEORGE CHELLA
And you still believe in PF??? for me honestly, i cant see integrity, truthfulness and people driven constitution….PF where are u taking US??
People was voting for PF a curse upon ourselves on what????
People driven?
#12 shy lucifer
You just commented on this issue without evaluating what the now president promised the Zambian. They want him to filful his promise, there is something sinister now.. 90days long passed,,.. In Sept last year pf asked for extension of time to Dec 2013, Come Dec, lipservice at its best.. People are just realising that they may end up being fooled as another general election is loaming in 2yrs time.
Is it constupit or what?
What a charade!!!!! Even someone without any power to reason would not issue such a f00lish statement! Why then did PF and Sata 1) promise a new constitution in 90 days 2) give the terms of reference that draft would be released to the public and government simultaneously by the CRC?
OK. As Civil Society, Church organisations, opposition political parties and the masses at large we will do everything possible to make the nation ungovernable until the correct version of the draft constitution is released. Watch the Space. He thinks Zambians are as dull as they used to be in the 90s when he (Sata) maniuplated us over the constitution again with FTJ. This time around, we will try option 1, if it doesnt work, option 2, if it doesnt work, option 3, if it doesnt work, option 4, if it doesnt work, option 5 and option 5 always works.
Where are all those people that danced naked when PF won? Maybe they need to do an encore to remind their president that he is meant to listen to the people not Membe and Nchito only.
If the emperor has no clothes then maybe everyone already has him dancing all over the hot seat. That press statement reads like a dog with its hackles up fighting its own over a plastic bone while the cook is preparing two real large meals. One each. Then again my over active imagination could be at play…
I now understand why the late great Peter Tosh called them as poli-tricks, we have been tricked yet again but for how many times and how long? Because of the current poli-trical sh*tstem, we have again wasted millions of dollars that could have sent children to better schools, put medicine in clinics and hospitals, rehabiliteted our two main universities and provided more sleeping space, learning facilities and many more ……bumboclaat these rasclaats with thier bloodclaats!
PF promised a new constitution within 90 days … they promised this themselves. It is now over two years and nuthin!
Are we wrong to ask them to deliver on something they themselves promised to deliver?
#OneZambia
#CumbuNoPlan
Is he serious we should leave it to those individuals who named a stadium “Gabon disaster”?????
On a separate note – is that a corduroy suit with a pink shirt??
So he can RIG it
The national constitution – a set of rules that citizens have agreed to rule themselves and to be ruled by – is not a partisan issue to be subjected to the politics of the stomach or appeasement. This changing of the leopard’s spots to suit the egos of the people in cabinet is driving people’s patience to a point of no return. Kaunda, Chiluba and Banda were stopped in their tracks as they tried to perpetuate ills to benefit themselves. Zambians have the tenacity to stop Sata in his tracks too. Many dictators in world history have thought they had the magic formula to control the masses. Ask Hitler, Mussolin, Stalin, Gaddafi, Saddam, Shaka, Napoleon, Louis IV – the list can go round the world twice over.
I agree,except for Shaka and Gaddafi. These were removed by external forces, and in the case of Shaka, it facilitated the colonisation of his people, and in the case of Gaddafi his people are now worse off.
EQUALISER – Please, remember that Shaka was indeed a very cruel ruler. Many people were butchered on flimsy grounds. Let us not support him just because he resisted white colonialists. We should really depart from this tribal and racial way of appraising people. Yes, Gadaffi did invest oil money in infrastructure but his language regarding his response to the Arab Spring in his country clearly showed his true colours. Remember that his children owned most of Libya’s comapnies. There are good and bad people in every race, tribe & country.
The Zambian Cabinet
1. Named the Lusaka stadium Gabon Disaster fimo fimo
2. Economic changes happen as a surprise to them – price fluctuations, shortages etc.
3. Building new universities when they cannot support the three (Mulungushi closed due to lack of water)
4. Justice Minister who does not know his duties and fails to differentiate party from govt affairs
Can we entrust them with something as complex as a constitution? Ba ZWD can you please document the cabinet and the profile of these individuals the president has entrusted to run the country please.
The Zambian Cabinet
1. Named the Lusaka stadium Gabon Disaster fimo fimo
2. Economic changes happen as a surprise to them – price fluctuations, shortages etc.
3. Building new universities when they cannot support the three (Mulungushi closed due to lack of water)
4. Justice Minister who does not know his duties and fails to differentiate party from govt affairs
Can we entrust them with something as complex as a constitution? Ba LT can you please document the cabinet and the profile of these individuals the president has entrusted to run the country please.
Spot on!!
The man is above 76 years, born before type writers were in existences. He has no future for Zambia, just spoiler.
Get a rest and chill man
But why is he holding the table for support? Was he dazed or he is from his arrangement with Masumba?
I agree with HE…I wonder why all of a sudden opposition parties are trying to champion the whole process …what surprises me the most is that even minions like MMD chaps still could want to talk when they failed their mandate…we still remember that MMD failed their NCC in which UPND participated just for financial gains and oppossed the same document in parliament…their scheme right now is to see to it that even PF fails…be rest assured PF is determined to deliver the best ever constitution in the history of zambia…
is it becoz you smoke dobbo together????
Ah! mmuzaza can’t you sure see that this is already a failed project. Which foolish Zambians will accept a doctored draft constitution after passing through cabinet?
WHEN THE COMMITTEE HAS FINISHED DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION, THEY WILL INITIAL (SIGN) ALL THE PAGES IN THE DOCUMENT, BEFORE IT IS HANDED OVER TO THE PRESIDENT AND THEN THE PUBLIC. THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT OPERATE IN A VACUUM. THESE ARE JUST SIMPLE AND TRANSPARENT STAGES.
IF IN THE PROCESS SOMEONE INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT, TRIES TO TAMPER WITH IT, THE DRAFTERS CAN EASILY RAISE AN ALARM. SO WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL HERE?
YOUR HONOR, THE BIG DEAL IS ‘WHY DOES THE PF GOVERNMENT NOT WANT THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE TO READ THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION FIRST?’
CHUMBU MUNSHOLOLWA please give us what belongs to us inshi iwe.
What belongs to you,,,,,,?????? Be careful don’t just follow things icinampofu bane. The government is on the right track so far so good,ba mambala balikele mubuteko 20years ukwabula ukumupa ulupapulo, Sata alemipa in this short period of time and you want to confuse him. Most of you ,you are just full of umusalula. This issue of saying no Sata did this and that when he was in opposition..gentlemen just find your own style of politics ifyakukopela tafyawama that was his style of politics in opposition not yours.
Disgusting! One thought Ukwa was alive to the fact that the Enquiries Act route had lamentably failed several times before,in the past, hence the earlier calls for a new legal framework to drive the adoption of a new people- driven Constitution?
The new constitution demands for among others; a running mate VP, ministers from outside parliament, and a winning President with atleast 50+1 votes. Assuming that the constitution was enacted today, will this PF Government be mandated to rule? The answer is NO NO!!! So what are the implications? We will have to go for General election and that’s what Sata is jittery about. Sata will deliver the new constitution and he will not alter a word but not just now. Its 2015!!!!!!!!!
My eyes are open, i see clearly now. This is definition of intelligence!
So you prayed what did God tell you ,tell us what he told you
CSO,church,opp parties,student bodies and all zambians,its time to act. Time for praying is gone. Ff Bwalya has just told us who the monster we are dealing with is. Chumbu Mushololwa. He will not backdown if you keep begging,praying without action and dialog. Mass demonstrations is the only message he will get. This will give him diarrhoea. Let’s invite foreign media and demonstrate in from of the US and British emberssies.
THE LUSAKA TIMES HAS PUT SO APTLY
“On The 4th January 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 PF GOVERNMENT” INCLUDES CABINET?
@ Luapula Premier
Please take your nonsense elsewhere. No one put a gun to the daft heads of your PF to promise a constitution in 90 days to be adopted via a referendum. Don’t think Zambians are f00ls to be treated like kids. This time it will not work. We shall get what belongs to us. Read the preamble of the constitution. It says WE THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE GIVE OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. Not that the govt gives us this constitution. The govt is just supposed to play the role of facilitators as they are also only custodians of our national cake.
@Nshilimubemba asks
“So you prayed what did God tell you, tell us what he told you?”
SIR/MADAM, WE PRAYED TO ASK GOD TO LET THIS PF GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THE CONSTITUTION TO US BUT GOD WAS VAGUE ABOUT WHO CONSTITUTED THE “GOVERNMENT!”, MAY BE HE WILL, NEXT TIME AROUND!!
if you have nothing to say, better keep quiet. NEVER MOCK GOD because he is the holder of your miserable life on earth, sustaining it even as you are ichinkola, busy belittling your maker. pray and ask for forgiveness he is faithful and true and will forgive you
My Question: why has the constitution to go to PF Cabinet? What is the purpose? Someone educate me please on this one….
Does it mean all of us missed the stage that the Constitution will have to be presented to cabinet before being released to us the owner?
I THINK SATA MEANT WELL WHEN HE CONSTITUTED THE COMISSION. BUT CLEARLY THE PROCESS IS BEING HIJACKED. IT IS NORMAL FOR PF TO ACT THE WAY THEY HAVE DONE. THE CALL FOR THE SIMULTANAEOUS RELEASE OF THE DRAFT TO THE PRESIDENT AND TO THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN SO CONFRONTATIONAL. ANY NORMAL PERSON WILL BECOME SUSPICIOUS. THESE CALLS ARE CLEARLY LED BY UPND. WE SAW THE PICTURES FROM THE CATHEDRAL. IF THE CALLS ARE AIMED AT UPLIFTING THE LIVES OF ZAMBIANS THEN THEY ARE NOBLE. BUT IF THEY ARE MEANT TO REMOVE SATA FROM POWER THEN THE WHOLE POINT IS MISSED. NO WONDER HIS SUSPICIONS. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE WE NEED THE NEW CONSTITUTION. BUT NOT WITH THE APPROACH THAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE OPPOSITION AND PAID NGOS.
LET A GROUP OF ELDERS WHO ARE LEVEL HEADED APPROACH THE PRESIDENT AND TALK TO HIM AS PARENTS.
“APPROACH THE PRESIDENT AND TALK TO HIM AS PARENTS”??? – parents of a 76 year old man?? Even Kaunda is not old enough to be his parent.
LET THEM SPEAK TO HIM PERSUASSIVELY. HE CAN BE REMINDED THAT HE HAS BEEN A GREAT FIGHTER WHO HAS RISEN FROM LOWER RANKS TO BE A LEADER. HE CAN BE TOLD THAT HE IS RENOWN FOR BEING A MAN OF ACTION. HE CAN BE TOLD THAT THE CONSTITUTION WILL BE FOR THE GOOD OF HIS CHILDRENS CHILDREN AND POSTERITY. LET HIM SEE HOW IMPORTANT THE NEW CONSTITUTION IS IN PREVENTING CORRUPTION AND AVOIDING OPPRESSION OF MAN BY MAN. LET THEM TACTIFULLY TELL HIM THAT HE IS IN THE EVENINGS OF HIS LIFE LIKE THEM AND HE CAN LEAVE A LEGACY FOR EVER. LET HIM SEE THAT HE ACTUALLY HAS MORE TO GAIN THAN LOSE. WHAT MANY PRESIDENTS FAILED TO DO, HE CAN DO. PERSUADING HIM. I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.
BUT IF WE BECOME CONFRONTANTIONAL, INSULTING HIM, CALLING HIM NAMES, MAD, FOOL, CHIMBWI. WE WILL NOT ACHIEVE ANYTHING.
Fr Bwalya was manhandled for this reason.
@ Chisenga,
Well put Sir/Madam, in an ideal Zambia with a President ready to listen to progressive ideas and concerns for the country, this is truly the way to go. In the current state we are in as a nation with so many vested interests and pocket agendas I doubt it very much if this can work. I can confess that I was one of those who supported PF but I have been left disillusioned with the way our affairs are being run in the country. Can someone educate me, what is the road map to the release of the constitution? and by the way I never believed in the 90 day magic wand. Please let us use the internet/blogging to debate progressively and constructively, most countries have used blogs to achieve great strides politically, not insults, innuendos etc. what is the road map please??
It’s amazes how Zambians still believe Sata. Can Sata really give the country a sensible constitution? This man has, over the many years, showed Zambians how bad hearted and untrustworthy he is, but sadly, Zambians still believe. Wow !!!!!!
Sata is just ok. Why Re you bitter.
@SHI MWANSA
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. I ALSO VOTED FOR THE PF. QUITE CLEARLY THINGS ARE NOT GOING THE WAY WE THOUGHT. HOWEVER, A BETTER CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE THE FIRST STEP. AS IT IS NOW, THE PROCESS HAS BECOME DIVISIVE. AT IS CLEAR THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF THE DRAFT HAVE PERSONAL, VESTED INTERESTS. NOT THE COMMON GOOD OF ORDINARY ZAMBIANS. OTHERS ARE JUST SEEING THE 50%+1 TO FIX SATA. BUT EXPERIENCE HAS NOW TAUGHT US THAT IF YOUR AIM IS JUST TO FIX THE PARTY IN POWER, YOUR VISION BECOMES SHORT LIVED AND BEFORE LONG YOU BEGIN FACING TEETHING PROBLEMS AND BACK TO SQUARE ONE. ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST. WE CAN LOOK AROUND FOR MATURE ZANBIANS AND SOME CHURCH LEADERS TO VISIT OUR PRESIDENT. AND HAVE A SERIOUS, UNBIASED CONVERSATION WITH HIM.
Kindly give us a detailed report of the credentials of each and every member of sata’s cabinet ministers. Mpika potato!!!!!!
I think I’ll reread George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Shush. Big Brother might hear you… 1984
THE CALLS ARE CHARACTERISED BY INSULTS AND NAME CALLING. IN THE PROCESS SATA IS NOW THINKING THAT MAYBE HE HAS EXPOSED HIMSELF TOO MUCH TO HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES. LETS NOT FORGET THAT HE TOO HAS SOME POLITICAL INTERESTS TO PROTECT. IT TAKES WISDOM IN THIS SITUATION TO GET WHAT WE WANT. WE NEED TO PERSUADE SATA TO ACT ABOVE BOARD FOR US TO HAVE A CONSTITUTION THAT WILL STAND MANY GENERATIONS. PEOPLE WHO ARE SOBBER MINDED TO SPEAK WITH OUR PRESIDENT.
I THINK WE HAVE NOT TRIED THIS AVENUE. WE ARE HOLDING MEETINGS IN CATHEDRALS CHAMPIONED BY THE OPPOSITION WITH AND GROUPS THAT ARE OUTRIGHTLY OPPOSED TO SATA AND HIS PF. BUT WE HAVE NOT GIVEN CHANCE TO GOOD UNBIASED DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR PRESIDENT.
No elders required. Just take him a laptop and ensure he has an internet connection and your words of optimistic wisdom will pour forth. (Um… as long as he’s not into online streaming and winds up watching a series like House of Cards and think he might have missed a trick… Excuse my lighter note). I see the positive hope in your posts above and think the sun will rise tomorrow but the battle line has been drawn and all wounds from this point on are considered self inflicted. This probably has more to do with over thinking one’s role in the future and as the hyenas circle with vultures waiting to swoop (AKA the in-fighting), it is possible the Prez and his lot have their own constitutional crisis pending as they ponder the future. Maybe we get a grand announcement soon…
Kwena us Zambians we fail to reason a draft is a draft lt is not a final copy even my 2 year old girl understands that.Mestusebsnya the so called graduates.The a president is the one who appointed the commissioners and they are accountable to him at this stage .The opposition has run out of ideas Jensen resorting to evil plans.2016. Is not far let them provide the needful
That is one smart two year old…mine can only say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘where is the draft copy?’… I will quietly slink away and hide my head in shame…
Iwe chumbu mushololwa if you want to find out what majority of people feel take it to the REFEREDUM.
@Jungle boy
MAY BE THERE IS ONE ASPECT OF THE PROCEDURE WHICH I HAVE FAILED TO COMPREHEND! OUR DEMAND & PRAYER HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FOR THE “GOVERNMENT” & NOT THE “COMMITTEE” TO RELEASE THE DRAFT DOCUMENT TO THE PUBLIC. GOVERNMENT IS THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. BY DEFINITION, GOVERNMENT IS THE EXECUTIVE I.E. THE PRESIDENT + CABINET.
ENVEDUALLY, THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL HAVE TO PERUSE & APPROVE THE DRAFT DOCUMENT BEFORE THE FINAL IS PRODUCED.
IF, IN THE PROCESS, ANYONE TAMPERS WITH EITHER THE DRAFT OR FINAL DOCUMENT, OR IF SOME CLAUSES ARE OMITTED DELIBERATELY OR OTHERWISE, THE PUBLIC OR THE EXECUTIVE SHALL SEND IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE? AT HE END OF THE DAY, THE GENERAL PUBLIC (OWNERS) WILL HAVE TO SIGN IT OFF. SO WHY THE HULLABALOO?
All Mighty President shall decide the fate of 13 million Zambians. He is Merciful, vengeance is His and not of us. Let us wait for his Son (Wynter) come to resurrect us when the Father is ready.
In the meantime, get a softcopy of the draft constitution on an external drive, load it on L.T for the Congregations- Evangelicals, Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopal etc to study it online and memorise it by heart.
I take it you re living in the diaspora. The draft has not been released either in soft or hard copy. The president has put it categorically that we do not need a new constitution as the current one is OK and only needs to be amended. He has just confirmed this by stating that there is no need to make reckless conclusions to the draft as we have in place a functional constitution. I hope the Hon Minister of information (Govt spokesperson) will not come out tomorrow and he was again misquoted by the press.
pf has breached its agreement with the people of zambia. why waste any words and energy. There is remaining only one option of action. Tools down, we need another government in place henceforth. And lets us see how they will compeign.
The president needs a walker to assist with balance and walking! Please Dr Kaseba prescribe one!
Constitution constipation or is it diarrhea? It’s beginning to stink…
what a cheeky monkey, now he is even says the current constitution is ok when he was on the forefront calling for a new constitution just 2 years ago.
Bunkum. Who can debate on the constitution in that cabinet of dull heads? Some people should not have been born.
The ideal that a Constitution should be owned by the people comes from the fact that its drafting is made by a representative technical committee that gathers views on its particular crucial aspects. It is then subjected to debate in another institution that represents the constituents, i.e. the National Assembly. Then it is offered to a vote (referendum) as to whether it be finally adopted. Nowhere during this process should it be allowed to be usurped by the very govt. wing whose powers it intends to define and delimit (namely, the executive) The hijacking occurs at the executive level. You cannot accuse civil society and the people of hijacking what they own. Sata and his cabinet should have steered clear of any input or comments on the process, till its enactment. It is now…
‘tainted’ and has lost credibility before its even been released, regardless of what progressive clauses it may have
IS IT “HEAD OF STATE” OR “STATE OF THE HEAD”
Honestly this is so incoherent. May i ask the President through Chellah to answer the following questions.
1. IF ZAMBIA HAS INDEED A FUNCTIONING CONSTITUTION, WHY DID YOU APPOINT THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE TO WORK ON AN ALREADY FUNCTIONAL DOCUMENT?
2. HAVE ALL THE CABINET MEMBERS including Honorable Chikwanda, Kabimba, Dr. Kasonde,etc. GOT THE MANDATE OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON their BEHALF?
3. What happens if cabinet rejects the document? Will this be conclusive evidence that Zambians have rejected their constitution?
3. When did CIVIL SOCIETY, CHURCH and OPPOSITION stop being Zambians. Where these not the same people you called for constitutional consultations. ARE YOU NOW SAYING YOU CONSULTED NON ZAMBIANS OR THAT ZAMBIANS HAVE HIJACKED THEIR OWN…
This is so incoherent. May i ask the President through Chellah to answer the following questions.
1. IF ZAMBIA HAS INDEED A FUNCTIONING CONSTITUTION, WHY DID YOU APPOINT THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE TO WORK ON AN ALREADY FUNCTIONAL DOCUMENT?
2. HAVE ALL THE CABINET MEMBERS including Honorable Chikwanda, Kabimba, Dr. Kasonde,etc. GOT THE MANDATE OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON their BEHALF?
3. What happens if cabinet rejects the document? Will this be conclusive evidence that Zambians have rejected their constitution?
3. When did CIVIL SOCIETY, CHURCH and OPPOSITION stop being Zambians. Where these not the same people you called for constitutional consultations. ARE YOU NOW SAYING YOU CONSULTED NON ZAMBIANS OR THAT ZAMBIANS HAVE HIJACKED THEIR OWN CONSTITUTION?
Fishi tulelolela this is quite clear that this potato LIED the only solution is REVOLUTION
Can anyone mention one worthy promise Sata has kept?
Unbelievable betrayal!!! This is so painful…where are the student unions? Vibrant civil society? Its time to act!!! Really shocking…what a waste!!!!
Cactus ulishilu.The continued peace and freedom you are enjoying,is one of the promises.
@BK, your inability to say what you want to say without degenerating into childish profanity speaks volumes about your level of maturity. That aside, So according to you there was no peace in Zambia before Sata was elected President? He promised peace? On what page of the PF Manifesto is it written? The PF Manifesto is online, simply google it.
That is the way ,the Sata government is just doing the right thing about the constitution the document that the finished party of our friends lamentably failed to deliver. For they have now seen how serious the friends are about giving Zambians a document that could stand the test of the day, they want to confuse the masses and appear as though they are the ones pushing for it…..bama mbala natumisopolola kale…Uyu nao ubushimbe bwamukola ala butauka fye ngeshilu,one can become surprised from Lusaka uyo twaumfwila ku Kasama..Sosala is an MMD cadre, you Bembas you mean takuliko akafumu kambi akashili ka cadre…?
I even wonder why he was livid with being called chumbu mushololwa because whereas he promised to deliver a people’s constitution within 90 days of coming into power, he now says, and quote: “the country already has a functional constitution”. The same Chimbwi No Plan claimed he is a member of Linyungandambo and would restore BA64 within 90 days of coming to power but in true Chumbu Mushololwa style reneged. He can’t even own his own word this imbecilic moron we have for a leader.
In the picture above, Sata does not look healthy at all and he seems strained remaining standing. It looks like he is being weighed down by bollocks, when he has none. What a waste of time and space this floating lunatic really is. I just pity his appointed ambassadors and all others because the day he is removed from office his tribal jungle “eo tu kooca ko amalasha”
@ jocylyne asks
1. If Zambia Has A Functioning Constitution……
2. Have Cabinet Members Like……
3. What Happens If Cabinet Rejects The Document?
4. When Did Civil Society…….
1. We’ve had three governments since multi party politics. Have we been governed without a constitution?
2. Cabinet WILL not subtract/add anything from/to the draft. The TC is supposed to hand over the draft to the government before releasing it to everyone for further review. The president does not work in isolation. Government is cabinet.
3. If the draft is rejected by u, it will be sent back until all the views have been reconciled.
4. The government is the one that appointed the TC.
Don’t u think they should be the ones to look at it first?
THE TC MESSED UP. THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN THE MANDATE TO RELEASE THE DOCUMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY TO SATA AND THE PUBLIC. WHEN KABIMBA ASKED FOR 10 COPIES THEY GOT CONFUSED AND STARTED ASKING IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS. THEY WENT TO THE PRESS AND NGOS. EVEN WHEN VP HAD SAID THAT PART WAS CEREMONIAL, THE TC AND NGOS CONTINUED ASKING. NOW YOU HAVE THE ANSWER.
These press statements even a grade 9 can write them, the language and technique is very weak , “president sata says” so meaning this is third party information and not the actual words of the president? these statements seem hurried and not well thought out, the highest office in the land should do much better.
When yo motives are evil u don’t reason properly.Most of these idi ots talking the louderst are not doing so genuinely. So bravo the ‘king Cobra’There’s a lot of stu pidity in Zambia that must be deal with decisively.Mmd must not even talk.
I agree with you,democracy is usually abused in Africa,hence some dictataship does jut well.
As much as I want to turn a blind eye, i cannot. It pains me just to read such statements.
Giving the constitution to Pres. M.C.Sata to look at them first is the same as giving the 10 commandments to Satan to analyse them.
How do you trust Sata when he is just a letter away from Satan?
True this government is on a collision course with the Zambian people