Technical Committee challenges State House on leaks and claims of not handing in the final draft constitution

92
1256
Technical Committee spokesperson, Ernest Mwansa
Technical Committee spokesperson, Ernest Mwansa
Technical Committee spokesperson, Ernest Mwansa
Technical Committee spokesperson, Ernest Mwansa

The Technical Committee Drafting the Republican Constitution has challenged State House to write to the Committee over its concerns over the alleged leaking of the final draft constitution.

Technical Committee Spokesman Ernest Mwansa also challenged government to write to the Committee on claims that the Committee has not handed over the final draft to the state.

[pullquote]“I have not heard what Mr Chellah (State House Press Aide) has said on this matter but what we could encourage Mr Chellah is to write to us and we shall respond appropriately,” Mr Mwansa said.[/pullquote]

Mr Mwansa said Government should clearly state its position on the matter in writing in order to give the Committee sufficient information for it to response properly.

“I have not heard what Mr Chellah (State House Press Aide) has said on this matter but what we could encourage Mr Chellah is to write to us and we shall respond appropriately,” Mr Mwansa said.

And when asked whether the leaked draft constitution currently in circulation is authentic, Mr. Mwansa said the Committee has not seen the leaked document and would not state its authenticity.

“It’s hard for us to state whether the leaked document is indeed the one we produced because we have not seen it anywhere,” he said.

Mr. Mwansa has since distanced the Technical Committee’s involvement to the leaked document.

“As the Technical Committee, we are not aware of any leaks because we have not seen what is out there.”

Mr Mwansa was reacting to State House Press Aide George Chellah statement in which he challenged members of the Technical Committee to state if they had handed over the final draft constitution to the state.

Mr Chellah statement completely contradicts an earlier statement issued by Chief Government Spokesman Mwansa Kapeya over a week ago in which he stated that Government was busy studying the final draft constitution after receiving the ten copies from the Committee a fortnight ago.

92 COMMENTS

    • The one who leaked should be hanged

      How can they undermine the president like that?

      You mean you cant keep a secret?

      This is appalling, I am disgusted and upset.

      Who will the president trust?

      The president should dissolve parliament, install a curfew or rewind the CCTV’s in state house until they catch the culprit

      This is disappointing and has brought the good name of the president’s office in disrepute

      Who ever has done this is similar to an espionage.

      I am so angry !

      Could someone say Amen?

      Thanks

    • Yaaaa Sata & PF way of walking, 1 step forward and 2 steps backwards, why do the PF government think is going?
      I told you even me & Enerst Mwansa (us from Luapula) didn’t see that “draft” out there. If indeed we know it’s the one we are working on, then Justice ministry & OP are the ones responsible.
      If indeed its any member of Committee leaked draft to PF government, me & Ernest Mwansa will be first to cast a rock at the People’s court.

    • hahahahahah interesting indeed!! Well who is being profesional honest now,,, between street kid chella and zezulu mandevu shamenda standing for govt and technical committee..
      besides why all this fighting?? thats a public document for the public NOT for George Chella or Sata himself

    • this is circus at the worst level. I would rather believe mwansa because he was truly trying to implement the terms of reference as spelled out in their guidelines but was overwhelmed by the schemes from govt/state house. ba govt just do the right thing and shame will run away from you. at the moment you look more of 1diots playing hide and seek

    • What a useless PF govt- please know, the governance mandate is in your hands to deliver a people driven constitution. No amount of hide and seek or blame game will work this time! Just deliver the new constitution men!!

      The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits and is easily corrected. I don’t know about stupidity…….

    • I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR CHELLAH BECAUSE HE IS WORKING UNDER A PERSON WITH SERIOUS PARANOIA AND DEMENTIA WHO SAYS ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER WITH A VERY SHORT MEMORY. THE PROBLEM HERE IS NOT CHELLAH, IT IS HIS EXCELLENCE MR MICHAEL SATA, EVEN THOUGH THE YOUNG MAN MIGHT HAVE OTHER WAY OF PRESENTING THINGS, SATA IS A CHUMBU AND THE YOUNG BOY CANT RESIGN ON MORAL GROUND BECAUSE HE SEES HIS POSITION AS A WAY OF MAKING QUICK BUCK UNLIKE A POOR SALARY HE WAS GETTING AT THE POST-THE CONSTITUTION IS LEAKED AS SIMPLE AS THAT- AND WE CANT BLAME THE LEAKER BUT THE SYSTEM.

    • Zambians 10 Sata and PF 0. Nice one.

      Sata should not look far. George Chella is the one who leaked the document to ZWD.

    • This is PING PONG Game at its highest level.

      We had “Comical Ali” in Iraq during the bombarding from the US Military Mighty and now we have a Zambia version in our back-yards.

      The opposition needs to come together and raise a “Vote of No Confidence” to force Sata for an Independent Psychiatric Medical Check Up. Its a serious Security National Matter to have a president who cannot tell between Day and Night.

      Soon, he will drive the nation into some Wacko-Jacko situation

    • No the wonder the PF government want to start teaching our kids in Bemba, so we can stop thinking. Yesterday Mr Sata said, there is no need for a new constitution and today they come with a boogers claim that the document has been leaked.

      In my view state house is looking for any possible reason to derail this process. Hence they may have leaked it themselves and blame the committee and there by declare the process dead. Awe tafyabombe.

    • I said it ! This Chella boy is too raw for this job and is trigger happy to make statements. You have immature people in this government who use street language in official and executive matters thinking it makes them famous. The levels of discontent about governance in general are so high even within the PF that this document could have been leaked by some of THEIR OWN people. Am glad it’s a lie that the Executive had not yet received the draft when it leaked. NAZO NKHANI BABA…!!!!

    • This is what we call “Gross Misconduct” iyi Violation of other law crime under section 106 sub section a and c under the Zambia constitution(In acted).

      Remedies require at least 1/3 MPs to move a motion of impeatchment

    • iwe ka mushota, since when did our constitution become a secret? do u not realise it was released to us who made the submissions.

    • ONLY GEORGE KUNDA HAD THE CAPACITY AND MENTAL ABILITY TO WRITE THE CONSITUTION OF ZAMBIA ALL BY HIMSELF.hE KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THIS COUNTRY.
      THE LIKES OF JOHN SANGWA CANT MATCH UP TO WITS THAT GEORGE HAD. FOR NOW LETS FORGET ABOUT A NEW CONSITUTION UNTIL WE HAVE ANOTHER SPLEDID LAWYER LIKE GEORGE WHO CAN ASSIST WITH WRITING A NEW CONSTITUTION.
      I SEE THAT HAPPENING IN 2087 FOR NOW WE ARE DEAD STUCK BACK TO THE UNIP DAYS .
      50YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE STILL USING THE SAME OLD COLONIAL CONSTITUTION GOD FORBID

    • @Mushota don’t be so upset, its neither yours nor Mr. Sata’s. It is for the people of Zambia. Mr. Sata is almost 80 years old, therefore he has very little to benefit from a good constitution. Let him rest in bed and take his medication. BED REST PLEASE.

  1. It is all happening right before our eyes. Someone is clearly lying here and judging from what we know, one wonders who that may be…the song “bufi” springs to mind and so does the many fake promises to be delivered within 90 days.

    • Sata’s govt has even put “Roy Kalaki’s” satirical writing on the shelf, because just their press statements and acts are satirical enough.
      A State House that issues statements everyday?
      The man enjoys being a semi-god where he brings pipo before his alter to swear allegiance to him.
      #SataMulungushi?

  2. There is every effort to mess the whole of this process so that in the end you will just be arguing about who said what until 2016. It is clear we are not going anywhere with PF, just vote them out and we move on.

    • The way forward is to give the people their constitution…..why doctor it ba mudala? Remember what happened to FTJ on the third term issue? MCS you were behind that saga…now more confusion from you again?

    • Not everybody visits the ZWD. I don’t. Unless LT or QFMZambia tell us something, I don’t know what is going on. Occasionally will I see what the POST have to say, although they are not as effective in the delivery of news as they used to be.

      So Mr. Mwansa has a point. Remember, he cannot respond to non-official information in his capacity.

    • If Mwansa said he had read it online…the next question you would have asked him is, if it’s the real thing. He knows better than to say they have not seen it to preempt that question. Moreover why should he be mopping up for these incompetent people at State House who are trying to put out a house fire with paraffin.

  3. We the Zambians are keeping an eye on the good promise of the PF and the subsequent hard work of the Technical Committee on delivering to us a good Constitution, which, initially was intended to be with us within 90 days, but was however delayed due to technical and logistical matters.

    One can only speculate that perhaps the State has leaked the document electronically as a way of responding to the suggestion made by citizens to release it electronically, but without being open about it.

    We will, however, not be hoodwinked by anyone. This is our Constitution, and the sooner the government release it and set up the road-map for its adoption the better for progress in the nation.

  4. Mushota has a spiritual husband! her analysis are not of this world! Sata is getting paranoid and is driving all those around to panic in an attempt to please him. The 10 documents were long handed over! Ask Mwansa Kapeya. That is the reason the technical committee has asked chella to write to them directly.

  5. Mwansa kapeya said cabinet will study the draft document,meaning the hand over was already done.this is govt position.George chella said state house is yet to receive the draft constitution and challenges the TC on who leaked the document,this is the cartel trying to mislead the masses so that we are distracted from real issues and start the blame game.the cartel will later say because it was leaked then it’s now void and we shall start over after 2016.chella Zambians are not stupid.
    The cartel is using psychology on the schemes to continue stealing,opposition parties have to build courage and stand up for the masses.

  6. Well well well……. Zambia is one Mad house right now! When they catch the leaker, he sure will be a gonna! I advise them to take plan B!

    • Their is no crime here,the terms of reference stipulated that it was supposed to be released to the president and public simultaneously but the pf govt hijacked it.chances are that 95% its state house who leaked it,just like the did the confidential letter from FRA on GBM business which sata had sought.as long as state house has those guys from the post newspapers,nothing is classified in state house office.sata should get rid of post attachés.

  7. Where is this so called technical committee drawing its power from? A bunch a guys put together to perform a national duty behaving like a statutory body with full powers. Hand over the document to the president and stop this cat and mouse game atase.

    • @Albert Ch…
      Unfortunately people like you represent a large section of our community who have the right to vote; very docile and gullible easily hoodwinked by these selfsame politicians.

      Wake up! !

    • @Albert Chinyama you must one of those PF panga guys who are fighting over the control of bus stations and markets. In short you are a thug busy amassing/looting for as long as PF is in power.

  8. Christine Kaseba and George Chella have a very big task of puting a loose chimpazee in the name of cobra in it’s place, other wise his madnes is contegious.

    • THAT IS A DRAFT SIR IT MAY BE DOCTORED OR REJECTED.THE PF GOVT HAS THE MANDATE MIND YOU AND WE ARE BEING GOVERNED BY THE EXISTING LAW.TELL YOUR UNDER 5 TO TELL US HIS PLAN 2016 IS VERY NEAR.
      ONLY

    • WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA …
      DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY ADOPT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION

      Defence of Constitution
      2. Every person has the right and duty to –
      (a) defend this Constitution; and
      (b) resist or prevent a person from overthrowing, suspending or illegally abrogating this Constitution.

      So @YES. It is US and NOT the PF Govt that has the power. We shall demand for what belongs to US.

  9. Zambia 10 – PF – 0. Let’s not get caught up in leakages. The Terms of Reference were very clear, that the draft Constitution would be released simultaneously to both citizens and Government. Citizens got it two weeks later than the Government but it appears that they have not even began to review the document, so we are on equal footing. Same same. A public document meant for all citizens cannot be said to be leaked. Let’s stick to the substance of the matter, which is the contents of the draft and have a healthy debate about that. If there are any doubts about the authenticity of the document currently circulating, now would be a good time for the Government to produce the “Real” Copy which will give people an opportunity to compare. The issue is simple and we should not try to…

  10. Great Job ZWD, make Chumbu and his friends sweat, dont give them breathing space. Next, give us the Garbon Report, we know u can get it.

  11. We should hold prayers for someone in plot one to be incarpacitated. 2016 is too far. If I met him face to face I would beat him

  12. Plot:
    1- George Chellah leaks draft constitution to online media
    2- He issues a statement as “state house” and warns Technical Committee to come out clean
    3- Sata says the draft constitution will not go through because it was seen by the public on online media before “government” saw it. This tallies well with Shamenda who said Government has not yet seen it, forgetting that Kapeya told us earlier that government was studying the draft
    4- Sata throws out the draft saying, if exam papers are leaked, the exam is declared null.

  13. Zambia sent a Chimpezee to State House, little did we know that he would invite another small Chimpezee in the name of George Chella

  14. Ala Bane what goes around, comes around. This used to be a field day for Sata and now chilipali iwe. To start with 90 days has long elapsed. You promised us jobs, new constitution, money in our pocket…..within 90 days. Not that we were naive or stupid, we voted to remove MMD who overstayed and thought Zambian were clowns, so all we wanted was change of government. That said, Donchi Kubeba was your slogan so it can only be fair if theTechnical Committee who have shown leadership and need to be applauded for giving us a glimpse of this constitution to not kulanda if they indeed leaked it. After all going by the terms of reference of the constitution making process, the constitution was meant to be released simultaneously to you bwana Sata and the Zambian people. Viva Technical C & ZWD.

    • What I can’t understand with Zambian logic is that they say they got rid of MMD becz they had overstayed and they took people for granted when I honestly remember that Sata was part of the worst 10 yrs of MMD and he was a major player. When did he really change???? He supported the destruction of the Constitution when he supported Chiluba’s third term bid. Have you ever asked why he left MMD? On principle?

  15. That Chella is a dunderhead how can he question the technical committee for handing over the documents when his Minister of mis information correctly stated so? Confusion and dithering in this useless government. I’m glad some one leaked this at least we get see what the hold up and dithering is about. They promised a constitution it is therefore incumbent on them to deliver one as soon as possible.

  16. I THOUGHT THE HANDING OVER PROCESS WAS A PUBLIC EVENT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ATTENDED BY HORDES OF PEOPLE AT STATEHOUSE!

    IF PUBLIC, THEN SURELY, THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELAYS.

    WHY HAVE THEY NOT COME OUT CLEARLY ON THIS MATTER? EVEN THEIR STATEMENT IS SO VAGUE. THEY ARE NOT TELLING US WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE DONE WITH IT! OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE ALREADY HANDED IT OVER TO GOVERNMENT! WHEN, WHERE AND HOW?

  17. “The Technical Committee challenges State House on leaks and claims of not handing in the final draft constitution?” …………

    WHY CHELLAH?
    WHY STATE HOUSE?
    PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR POSITION, FINITO, CHAPWA? WHERE ARE WE?

  18. LEADERSHIP IS FROM ABOVE PERIOD WE HAVE A LEADER HE MICHAEL CHILUFYA AND THE ALMIGHTY GOD HAS ALLOWED WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION THAT?
    TRUST ME SATA WILL CARRY THE DAY COME 2016 HE IS A SEASONED POLITICIAN NOT UNDER 5.I WAS RECENTLY IN ZAMBIA AND I WITNESSED MASSIVE development UNLESS YOU HAVE NO EYES YOU DOOMED.

    WE HAVE UNDER 5 SUPPORTERS IN THE DISPORA WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TYO OUR LOVELY COUNTRY.

    • Not all leadership is from above you degenerate docile Foool. In your eyes the likes of Hitler, Sadaam, Ivan the terrible were all sent from above?? Zambia is in trouble if the likes of you also have the power to Vote. Can’t you see what this animal is doing to our country?

  19. This is the scenario;
    1) There is mounting pressure from the opposition and Civil Society for Sata to release the Constitution. It might get ugly and ferment civil disobedience, unrest, riots or even worse for him. But being who he is, he feels giving in will be a sign of surrender and weakness. Thus;
    2) Best gimmick would be to release it in clandestine fashion and then ‘go on a manhunt’ for whoever is responsible for this, including the technical committee. The document has been released to the public without the govt. admitting to it and thus pretending they stood firm against all the clamour.
    3) It will now fuel debate and in the end keep the PF in power at least until 2016 – which would have been doubtful had they stubbornly hang on to it.
    There we have it – that’s my theory.

  20. This draft is public document paid for by Zambian taxpayers so the leaker should be commended.Sata and PF just wanted to doctor the draft to insert dictatorial clauses for selfish motives.Wajinga sana hawa wakoloni weusi.

  21. As reported in the African Review: “Zambia President Michael Sata’s on Thursday criticised a push for a new constitution, casting a damper on hopes that the country would get the much-delayed charter anytime soon…”

  22. People of Zambia,

    Why are we making such hullabaloo over this document? Why are we wrestling with State House? Why can’t the opposition and the Civic leaders taken it up with the Technical Committee to trace its where about? Don’t they know their offices? Why are they mute?

    Like I have said the handing over, is supposed to be an open ceremony with several invited guests at State House. So far, this has not yet been done!
    Is the referee, at State House, the one who is allowing the keeper to keep the ball in the penalty area instead of releasing it into the field of place?

    • I agree with you @Mpundu. Under NORMAL circumstances and FOR normal reasons, a hand-over ceremony is supposed to be a public event.

      BUT to PF nothing is normal. They are determined to shroud everything related to the draft constitution in secrecy. Therefore the HAND-OVER was done in private.

      They are so scared that they can’t even trust their own shadows.

  23. DATA thrives where there is confusion and he causes confusion so that he can thrive there. He knows very well what is going on. Like his salary increases he will blame someone else. Those talking about development by Data are very shallow in understanding development issues. If anything g Data is messing up our great nation.

    • WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA …
      DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY ADOPT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION

      Defence of Constitution
      2. Every person has the right and duty to –
      (a) defend this Constitution; and
      (b) resist or prevent a person from overthrowing, suspending or illegally abrogating this Constitution.

      So Bloggers. It is US and NOT the PF Govt that has the power. We shall demand for what belongs to US.

  24. Dont Joke with ZWD , we are everywhere even in your homes we know what goes on between you and your wife 24 / 7 watchdog is you and you is watchdog, thus how we get information

  25. Ba Chellah kulibonesha taa. How do you just wake up from day dreaming and say H E has not received the draft copy? Chellah should also be questioned about leaking the document. It seems etiquette is defficient in our government today. How does Chellah see it right to talk to the technical committe on serious matters through a prees release to the Zambianwatchdog? Sad state of affairs……

  26. Ba Mwansa can not be trusted,he is saying he has not seen either the document circulating or Chella’s statement,WHY is responding then???Or to what is he responding to???

  27. The TC handed the document over to government and there was uproar over it. There was noise that they should have released it simultaneously to the President and the general public at the same time. The CSOs gathered at the Cathedral to pray for Govt to release it quickly to the public. Mwansa Kapeya said cabinet was still studying the document. Shamenda, afew days ago, said a confrontational approach taken by the CSOs won’t yield anything. So people should be following these events before commenting stupidly. Govt has the document – cabinet cannot be studying a document they have not received.

    • Indeed @UMZEBEDU. We know our duties and rights.

      WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA …
      DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY ADOPT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION

      Defence of Constitution
      2. Every person has the right and duty to –
      (a) defend this Constitution; and
      (b) resist or prevent a person from overthrowing, suspending or illegally abrogating this Constitution.

      So It is US and NOT the PF Govt that has the power. We shall demand for what belongs to US.

  28. Jehovah, there is too much bitterness and hatred in Zambia, will you please help Zambia to be a country that you meant it to be. Save Zambia oh God Jehovah Almighty.

    Save us from all these sinful acts, bitterness, hatred, lies and selfishness in government and generally in Zambia in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

  29. I agree with u that Mwansa can’t be trusted.lt is true.Stu pid Zambians why are u undermining the President?Mr President can u bite dem please them 4 the sake of our peace.lt z ur duty as a people 2 b responsible enough

  30. Can you see the way learned people respond? Compare Ernest Mwansa’s press statement to the the statements that come out of statehouse.I hope Zambians have learned that chosing an educated leader is very important.

  31. Mwansa has challeged Govt on the statement that Govt has not yet received the Document. This is serious. In short Mwansa is saying they handed over to Govt but Sata is saying he has nos seen it. BUFI SOMEWHERE

  32. What i fail to understand is what is the logic keeping the draft constitution a secret? Is it not supposed to be a public document for the Zambian pipo? It looks like there is insincerity on the part of the government

  33. The first draft constitution was released to the general public to make amendments or give comments to some issues 2 yrs ago, as far as we are concerned there are no secret issues here what we want is to see if the corrections people made appear in the new draft constitution and when is it going to be adopted as a final copy and the Zambian people to where it is applied start using it as a law, not the old one which does not protect the majority citizens as compared to today’s life a lot of things have changed and people want to live in a modern world hence the need for the new constitution.

  34. Mr Chellah and his boss are questioning the authenticity of the leaked Draft Constitution but also say they have not received and read the ‘thing’. So what did they use to compare and form an informed opinion that the leaked ‘thing’ is fake? One of their own already said they were studying the ‘thing’. Do these guys even listen to what comes out of their mouths?

    They want to create an environment and an excuse to reject the ‘thing’. “Ah it has been leaked, it’s illegal and so we are rejecting the entire document”.

    Well, Mr Chellah welcome to the digital age… just ask the might USA what leaking means… you suck it up and move on and just work on controlling the damage. You don’t run around twisting the truth because it blow up in your face.

  35. ONLY GEORGE KUNDA HAD THE CAPACITY AND MENTAL ABILITY TO WRITE THE CONSITUTION OF ZAMBIA ALL BY HIMSELF.hE KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THIS COUNTRY.
    THE LIKES OF JOHN SANGWA CANT MATCH UP TO WITS THAT GEORGE HAD. FOR NOW LETS FORGET ABOUT A NEW CONSITUTION UNTIL WE HAVE ANOTHER SPLEDID LAWYER LIKE GEORGE WHO CAN ASSIST WITH WRITING A NEW CONSTITUTION.
    I SEE THAT HAPPENING IN 2087 FOR NOW WE ARE DEAD STUCK BACK TO THE UNIP DAYS .
    50YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE STILL USING THE SAME OLD COLONIAL CONSTITUTION GOD FORBID

  36. This is the worst kind of political environemet that can exist in any country on earth. It is just political thuggery of the worst kind. Even Chilub’as dribbling in politics (what he called political engineering) was clever politics, it was sharp but yes cunning as politics can ussually be. Today’s politics is not smart, it is dull. It is like dealing with dagga smoking street bullies who have no reasoning capacity. How low can Office Number 1 of the land go. Even Chiluba realising that he had inadequacies in education would employ very educated people with very sharp critical thinking skills to defend the dignity of the presidency. Today, we have a president who can’t think and talk presidential and then helped to speak to the masses by a childish and spoilt brat. Shame! Zambia needs…

  37. Bringing a lot of excuses will not help anything, on constitution it is do or die. We shall never allow you to sit on our backs and force us to accept a colonial constitution cos if we comment the police will arrest us. Come and arrest all the people who say no to intimidation and see how the whole world will turn against u by violating with human rights and freedom of exceplasion .

  38. @WNzelu – my sentiments exactly. The document was leaked by one George Chella. they are now looking for avenues to have the document declared null and void.

  39. Donchi kubeba style. Sorry state of political affairs in Zambia. The ruling party is or was desperately trying to doctor the document for selfish reasons to ensure they continue with their mayhem. Zambians are not a docile lot who will accept political slander and manipulation like people of some neighboring countries. As a people, Zambians cherish the very idea that Zambia maintains it’s illustrious position as a beacon of democracy on the continent of Africa.

    Zambians enjoy INSAKA, to sit, discuss and dissect and resolve issues of a diverse nature in a manner reminiscent of the ideals of a true democracy, but the selfish COMRADE BROTHER LEADER decided to ignore such in preference to arm twisting. Zambians learned from their forefathers that, “Pono pono, tateka chalo.”…

Comments are closed.