Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations George Chellah has released a press statement to the media urging the Technical Committee Drafting the Republican Constitution to come clean on claims that they have leaked the document which they had been entrusted with.
In the media statement released today, Mr Chellah said that Government was still waiting for the Technical Committee Drafting the Republican Constitution to hand over the final document and advised the members of the public to exercise caution not to be misled as regards the authenticity of any leaked document.
Below is the full statement
STATE HOUSE
LUSAKA
THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
Media Statement
For Immediate Release
STATE HOUSE ON DRAFT CONSTITUTION
LUSAKA, Thursday, January 16, 2014 – STATE HOUSE– GOVERNMENT is still waiting for the Technical Committee Drafting the Republican Constitution to hand over the final document and has nothing to do with the purported Draft Constitution circulating among the members of the public.
Therefore, we advise members of the public to exercise caution not to be misled as regards the authenticity of any such document.
As Government, we want to believe that the men and women on the Technical Committee, which is appointed by His Excellency, Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, have their integrity to protect and cannot stoop to such low acts as leaking vital documents.
We urge the Technical Committee to come clean on claims that the document they have been entrusted with by the Zambian people has been leaked.
Issued by:
GEORGE CHELLAH
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
That leaked document is an embarrassment to both the technical committee and the government executive.It is my hope that it is not original because that document i saw leaves a lot to be desired if you ask me.Maybe the IT section leaked it.With the emergency of ZWD as a whistle blower anything is possible.
Foolish technical committee have betrayed the faith and trust the government had put in them.
Hmmmm…. Ba Saulosi, ndimwe mu kamba sense yonse iyo?
Fullish technical committee have betrayed the trust the government had put in them.
It is unbelievable… why even publish a “Press Statement” with childish words like “stoop”, “so low”.
What the Technical Committee did is treason.
And your PF government is a useless government, why even allow such a draft to be online for 2 minutes without calling for its closure?
Honestly a principled man like me NEVER clicked on that link. Go and look for Nostradamus, you not see any comment. I am waiting for SATA to give the real thing.
have you tried reading it, maybe you are mentally handicapped thus unable to comprehend what you read. what is to be desired in the new draft? cause its a fine improvement from the one we have.
You seem to have problems expressing yourself. Learn to be concise instead of supporting PF, Constitutional Committee, the Watchdog and the people of Zambia at the same time!
Trying to undermine the significance of the leaked document will not disperse the implications. Sata and Chella should realise that Zambians are not happy with the turn of events under this PF Govt. members of the Technical committee are also Zambians who will be affected by the same committee and therefore should equally be concerned about your gimmicks. You can ask others to save guard their integrity when you care less about yours…well done to those that “Gave it to us” and the ZWD for publishing it.
This all shows the joke our country has turned into.A document of importance like a constitution must be released in a systematic way and not be leaked.You can leak other information like Sampa’s girlfriends but not an important document like this.Only a very unprincipled person can be happy about this.Time we learnt to follow order.
I like him, I would like to see him become Foreign Affairs Minister
Thanks
@1.5
Line 6 Should read by the same constitution….
NO MATTER HOW EDUCATED MEN AND WOMEN IN ZAMBIA HAVE NO INTEGRITY. IN FACT, ITS THESE HIGHLY EDUCATED MEN AND WOMEN WHO ABSOLUTELY HAVE NO INTEGRITY. ITS A PITY THEY HAVE LEAKED SUCH AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT. VILLAGERS HAVE SO MUCH INTEGRITY IN ZAMBIA.
CHELLAH, HOW DO THEY COME CLEAN IF IT WHEN THE DOCUMENT WAS ENTIRELY IN THEIR HANDS?
The Republican Constitution is not supposed to be a secret. And how a document which belongs to the people of Zambia be regarded as having been “leaked” when it is in fact THEIR DOCUMENT? It was the use of Zambian tax payers’ money, resources and inputs that resulted in this same constitution. So, how can our contributions be “leaked” to US? This is the problem of employing overrated BABIES in such critical jobs!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, lets be calm and look at this in a mature way. Just because there is a document circulating clandastinely, doesn’t mean imply the Technical Committee is to blame. Just as with Snowdon leaked sensitive data, did not mean the National Security Agency in the US was to blame. There are alot of levels that this document could have been accessed. Do we know the security protocols under which this document was held? The TC may have just been logging into a system and editing the document. Was there any electronic audit as to who logged into the system and accessed the classified document? What level of security and Access rights where there on the document i.e read only, ReadWrite. Was copying enabled? Furthermore, what version of document has been released? Sobre up &…
mwansa kapaya a few days ago said govt will release the document to the public after cabinet studies it, can someone correct me, which document was he reffering to? why is chello not comfortable with document finding , itself with the intended owners/users, they want to dribbles us as usual?
That document belongs to us so, if it has been released, whether by sata or some IT guy somewhere, well done to them who gave it to us!
Foolish boy, even Saddam Hussein’s execution was strict and cameras were not allowed yet the video of his execution was leaked!!! You though you were smart…
Young boy, even Saddam Hussein’s execution was strict and cameras were not allowed yet the video of his execution was leaked!!! You though you were smart…
I can’t wait to see those Testicles Committee hanged. George Chella knows where they live, go and get them. What an embarrassing PF government you have. Where was Kabimba to lock up all documents? There where supposed to be just 1 file on 1 computer and a back-up at Bank of Zambia.
Do I have to advice that Sata on everything, am loosing my patience now, truly he is a Munshololwa.
people help me understand here,,, the draft constitution is a public document which has been leaked to the public, now why is it a crime?? because the document has be given to rightful owners,,,
and if what ZWD has published is fake why all this panic??
@Ndobo, with due respect: when your wife (Cindy) get pregnant, it will be yourself & wife to disclose that “we are expecting a boy”, or people will simply see ifumo for themselves or see a baby-boy, who is a child for all on earth (teti ufise umuntu).
But not your neighbor’s notorious call-boy “ZWD”, go in public to show doctors scans of your baby-embroy, it is unZambian. On this one, am not part-and-parcel of you PUBLIC.
Do you have draft of book called “The Sata’s-Verses”?
@Nostradamus
iwe chi Nostra
hahahahaah.. uli wa lubuli
that example cindy will kill you and i promise you
My apologies @Ndobo, Sata annoyed me yesterday
Which draft constitution did Mr Kapeya say was being studied by the government. Kanshi tabalapoka. Circus pa Zed
Good question and observation. I think the PF Government just lies too much , they can’t even keep up with their own lies. I think this Government will have to work really hard and deliver well over and above to gain the trust of Zambians. Talk about village mouse lauging at town mouse for thinking he was clever. The joke is on the urban voter that usshered in this government really
This age of information you cannot hide anything . Challah save us from embarrassment that even the people typing can download the document .
GEORGE CHELLA,JUST GIVE US OUR DOCUMENT,IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA,NOT TO STATE HOUSE. IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK? THE PF PROMISED THE
I do not understand how we can begin to talk about leaking “a vital document” such as the constitution. I thought the constitution itself is a public document and so cannot be leaked to the public!
It’s only a public documents once the president o.ks it …until then it’s classified.
Indiscipline of the worst kind.We should develop patience as a nation, in logistics the plan may be altered due to delays..Govt sort out who ever is found wanting.
I have always maintained that this Kid George Chellah doen’t qualify to be at State House and this statement just epitomises the level of mediocrity that the office of the president has been subjected to.
Here is what is wrong with this statement:
1) Why is this Kid speaking on behalf of Government. I thought Fackson Shamenda was the current Acting Government Spokesperson who should have issued this statement. Has this Kid been promoted without being sworn in?
2) Ok, if he is speaking on behalf of the president, why has he deviated from the standard procedure of directly or indirectly quoting the president as in the past so that as the public we treats this as the view of the president?
There is something seriously flawed about this statement
when i read this, i went back to read again.
truly, thus treason. we did vote for chella and he has no authority to use ‘we’
Who is we?
I thought so. I what capacity is speaking?
The statement was definitely written in the office of one big bummed Mutembo Nchito, he gets emotional that coward of a person so excuse him. ChiMembe okeyed it.
Why worry when you have not seen the document? Just them to release it simultaneous to GRZ and to all Zambians.
You George Chellah you are the one that leaked that document to the ZWD as a comprise for them not to publish your mischief. So stop threats and accept the truth in any case what integrity can you teach people when your boss has shown the lowest levels of integrity by stating that he does not know why people are crying for the constitution when we already have one.
The mistake was made right from the beginning when partisan characters were entrusted with this noble task.
This document should be no secret. It should belong to everyone. Is the PF ever going to do anything right? Every move they make seems to make them more and more unpopular.
The people loved you PF but you are behaving like a lover who wants to get out of a relationship by doing everything possible to hurt their party. What a shame after you fought so hard to get into power and this is all you can offer!
Under the PF government it is risky to believe what they say publicly, it’s all controversial and dodgy. We are talking about such a vital document but it is being handled like a baby’s toy. Very soon copies of the draft constitution will be found in local vegetable markets wrapping up kapenta and tomato for customers.
it was suppose to be released to the public and the executive at the same time anyway, so …..let them just accept that document is authentic period.
Number ONE leaker of documents in Zambia……….Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia.
Mr GEORGE CHELLAH, please tell him to have the integrity to protect and not to stoop to such low acts as leaking documents!
Now he tastes his own medicine!
Trying to put toothpaste back into the tube!
Spot on! !
Putting off more fires? Will there be an end to all of this???
its a ploy by SATA not to have a new constitution they by leak it to the public and later refuse any thing to do with a new constitution ,close the chapter.
I think you are right! Especially that Sata does not like the dual citizenship submission! Somebody somewhere please and urgently stop this ploy.
iam glad with the leakage.people prayed at cathedral to have the draft constitution and God gave them through the zwd.amen.
It’s the behavior, mode and means in which this PF regime has handled & pursued the document which has made the citizens curious about what’s cooking behind the State House desks.
One is bound to sniff and search for the document, before getting manipulated.
Caught with Pants Down! This is self infliction which could have avoided this mediocrity coming from the ( Under Par ) Special Assistant For Press.
George Chellah! should know that even his wife is a potential correspondent of ZWD, including the first lady Dr Kaseba. Apart from the internet, one of the best things that happened to Zambians was ZWD. They can continue decieving themselves at Statehouse, Cabinet office and Dirty Bwinjimfumu Rd that they can keep denying us information, but they are mistaken. The rat is out there loose because of internet and it is up to them to act accordingly.
We know this evil on line is an agent of the enemy it is just a matter if time the master minder being sponsored by the unpopular political party will be exposed remember the News of the world it’s history now those responsible are regretting don’t hide you evil Watch dogs you are in SA and you are a Tonga chap
Listen Arrest the ZWD evil men the one who actually leaked it is a Bemba chap and he said something like leka nkupeshe watwikala mpensasa we cibanda cesu…(in ref to Sata)
why swear in people after they deliver, you say Zambia does’nt a another constitution! what has he seen in the revised that he does not like. So why swera in people and spend loads of cash!
Trust me those agents of the enemy supplying or leaking vital info will be exposed soon Zambians ,that draft is not legal it has to legalized using the existing law.For sure those responsible will be punished The Police should not rest till those that have failed to win elections but wants to go to State house using unconstitutional means be arrested soon unless you are an agent of Satan you will support such act of evil the technical committee was appointed by the President and answerable to HE there fore they are responsible if it was in the USA or UK they should be Behind bars this is a criminal offense.its some evil Under five chaps based in foreign countries doing this very soon you will be exposed we don’t want confusion in Zambia if you are popular wait for 2016
Liar liar pants on fire.
We know this evil on line is an agent of the enemy it is just a matter if time the master minder being sponsored by the unpopular political party will be exposed remember the News of the world it’s history now those responsible are regretting don’t hide you evil Watch dogs you are in SA and you are a Tonga chap
Tax payers money was used, if Sata can reimburse then the ‘dochuma’ can be his and his to keep and do whatever he feels like. For now the public paid through their noses for it hence ka Chella have some respect for the public. And you Arrest whoever kafwale if you are one of those naked men who was celebrating ushering this tribal government into power.
Ask Edward Snowdown…He knows who leaked the documa.. or Ask Julian Asange…
The document belongs to the Zambian people and it is on record that the technical team was given mandet to draft and release the draft constitution to the Executive and the public simultaneously and provided the circumstances that have surrounded the whole matter it is only wise for a patriotic Zambian to do just what he/she did, in order to safe guard the document. if i was in a position of the technical committee i would do the same as this have increased transparency going forward regarding how the document will be processed, looking forward to a referendum. viva ZWD & tech team
I agree with you.The document is public property and should be seen as it goes to the president and as it comes from him so that we know what changes he makes to it.
If president Sata has nothing to hide why should it bother him that it was leaked as it was given to him?We know that he does not like certain submissions like the dual citizenship- he has expressed this dislike publicly in London when addressing Zambians! But Sata is not Zambia. Just like RB and KK, Sata’s time will be up.So ba Sata, take it easy and let the popuplation decide the direction that the country takes. Bravo Technical Committee…bravo Zambian Snowden..Bravoooooooooooo
The terms of reference were very clear, so why is state house panicking over the leaked on-line copy? That is what happens when those trusted with power try to cheat the majority! GOD has already heard our cry!
I am not Tonga. I am Bemba and I live in Chingola. Come and get me. Kandolo!
Immature George Chella exposing his incompetency yet again by being emotional, the boy is incapable of spinning its just laughable.
I thought the constitution was supposed to be for the general public? Public funds were used, hence people have the right to know and besides what are they trying to hide? Come 2016 PF kuya bebele. I thought we lived in a democractic nation. Lord have mercy
So u mean that man at plot…. Doesn’t have a copy of our draft constitution!?? Kekekekekekekek!! I think this is 10-0 guys!
From ka George chellah yo kapeya sata shame(nda) to kabimba. Imwe bafikkala muli mbwafye. You think you can fool the Zambian people. Sata chikkala you promised a new constitution in 90 days. Now that it suits we mbwa iwe you now saying that Zambian has a new constitution. Mwanya bafikkala mafi yenu you wont be in power for a long time.
Iwe ka George chellah we shall just insert a red hot spear in your a$$. You have been vomiting sata’s diarrhea from your mouth for too long ka chikkkala.
This govt has successfully turned statehouse into chainama. They have been competing for the top spot with chainama, it is over now.
Wow the unfolding drama is unprecedented. Whats funny is ZWD is run from statehouse and they don’t even know it! ZWD has a desk at statehouse! Chellah don’t get your ‘knickers ‘twisted in a knot you have no authority to address the Zambian people in your personal capacity.You are making your boss look look like a bigger nitwit than usual
What a mickey mouse way of running govt!. We all knew and no one from PF disputed this: that the TC had released a few copies to the president and his hench people. Now that it’s been released to the public by concerned and patriotic citizens, suddenly the govt never had a copy and are doubting its authenticity. Gosh! what did people drag into state house?
Please Ba Post donchi Kuisemanya! Sometimes it helps to keep quiet unlike showing your journalist ignorance pretending to be blind over the already handing over of the 10 copies of the constitution. Why is everyone scared about the constitution? Terms of reference – Constitution to be simultaneously handed over to Ba Sata and the Zambian people. Besides it was meant to be handed over 90 days of PF’ s Please Ba Post donchi Kuisemanya! Sometimes it helps to keep quiet unlike showing your journalist ignorance pretending to be blind over the already handing over of the 10 copies of the constitution. Why is everyone scared about the constitution? Terms of reference – Constitution to be simultaneously handed over to Ba Sata and the Zambian people. Besides it was meant to be handed over 90…
I don’t see what the big deal is — did we not want a new constitution?
Now that one is available, people no longer want it.
Am I missing something here?
GOVERNMENT says the confrontational stance by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to push Government to release the final Draft Constitution will not achieve tangible results.
Acting Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Fackson Shamenda said the avenue the CSOs had taken would not achieve tangible results as the confrontational approach usually ended up badly.
The consortium of Civil Society, political parties and other stakeholders calling itself the Grand Coalition yesterday met at Golden Bridge Hotel in Lusaka to continue with their demand to push for the release of the final draft to the public.
Mr Shamenda advised the Coalition and other stakeholders who feel aggrieved over the Constitution making process to engage Government in a proper…
It shows dat de gov hs da doc bt jst playing damn dis Man will burn in hell togather wit his dirty bootyliicking Comrades.
In the first place where is it supposed to be a secret? Is it not meant for the public? Lets really be serious with what we want otherwise will be dribbled again. Lets ask ourselves questions like when did we first want to have a new constitution from the time of independence and how much has been spent on the same undertaking? Lets really hold our leaders at ransom and demand what is due to us.
Nice try PF..the leaked document is product of Pf govt to divert from the real issues here. This was done to discredit the whole process so that Sata and his cohorts cling to the old ,outdated repressive current constitution. Wake up Zambians you mean you can’t see through this govt. Two days ago Sata said Zambia is not desperate for a new constitution….my hearts bleeds for this nation, we were conned into voting for this crap
Doesn’t make sense to me…in one breath the document is not authentic and in the same breath the technical committee must come clean on the leaked document…
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