GOVERNMENT has reiterated that it will not succumb to pressure from sponsored Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to release the Constitution.
Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone said yesterday that the Government was fully aware that some CSOs have received funds in order to cause confusion over the Constitution making process.
Mr Sichone said it was sad that the CSOs had allowed to be used by the donors over the Constitution issue.
“Government is fully aware that some CSOs have been funded so as to cause confusion in the country over the Constitution. I think the issue of the constitution by the Government is very clear as at now,”he said.
He said there was a lot of poverty in rural areas which the Government wanted to address.
But at a press briefing in Chipata yesterday, Eastern Province Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) Coordinator Maxson Nkhoma said CSOs were demanding for a people driving constitution on behalf of Zambians.
Mr Nkhoma said the CSOs would not listen to political suppression of intimidations over the constitution issue.
He said the CSOs were demanding the release of the draft constitution and enactment of the same through a referendum.
“We also want to mention that we are aware of the plot to blackmail the constitution making process by using some traditional leaders,” he said.
The press briefing was attended by grand coalition of CSOs drawn from Chipata District Farmers Association (CDFA), Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), National Youth Constitution Assembly, National Women’s Loby, Centre for Human Rights and Development, Foundation for Democratic Process, Caritas Chipata and Anti Voter Apathy Project.
Trying to re-write facts? It is not just CSOs, but every segment of trhe civil society that justly demand what they been promissed in exchange for theirs vote. It amazing how bunch of liars are trying to portray theirs deception in to unjustifiable demand by few “sponsored” CSOs.
Shame on you Mr. Sichone.
You and your “comrades”have betrayed trust of the People of Zambia.
How can this M0R0N say “I think the issue of the constitution by the Government is very clear as at now”!!!!
90 days has passed you IDI0T! Or can you not remember Sata promising the Zambian people a Constitution in 90 days in 2011?
Unless you are saying the Government has LIED and CHEATED and will now not give us the Constitution as promised. THAT IS VERY CLEAR NOW!
I appeal to the PF top brass to ensure a cohesive communication policy is adhered to. It is patently wrong and out of order for a junior government minister to commit the PF government to an entrenched positionw when the winds of change are blowing so strongly.
Welensky , Ian Smith, Botha, KK and other evil men who oppressed the majority had stated that they would not bow to pressure. But the people triumphed.
IF the Technical Committee truly got the views of the people, it doesnt matter what this government or any other will do that will stop the will of the people. This is what makes human bengs different from animals. The will of a man is stronger than a rock, water and air!!
Have you ever seen how much damage water can do? Remember that God once used floods to wipe away every living in creation. Don’t underestimate the forces of nature.
Ok. At PF’s peril. The revolution is unstoppable.
The PF will go down as one the popular political parties which became enemical to its own party manifesto and promises made to voters before elections. The PF have made serious U-turn not only on promises made but also on many other things including their party manifesto, implementation of the SNDP.NGO Act of 2009, the constitution making process. PF have abadoned their own party manifesto mid way and they now don,t not know what they are implementing. CNP. I was a die hard support of the PF from inception but alias am very dissapoited at the turn of events in this political party. Malozo Sichone should come to his senses and realise that he was once in civil society three months before elections, i feel pity that even him has elected to insult CSOs on the constitution making process.
such a very dull minister..you can do better Nakonde guys..
THE PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH US ZAMBIANS IS WHEN IN OPPOSITION WE TALK AGAINST BAND LAWS SUCH THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT ETC BUT WHEN ELECTED IN THE OFFICE WE FORGET THE POISON IN BAD PIECES OF LAW AND INSTEAD EMBRESS THEM. YES PEOPLE NEED A GOOD COSTITUTION NOT A BOOK. WHY ARE OUR LEAERS IN PF AGAINST THE PEOPLE DRIVEN CONSTITUTION ITS FOR THE ALL THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA AND THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR. HON MALOZA SICHONE BE MINDFUL OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUR EMPLOYERS. THERE WAS UNIP, MMD AND NOW ITS PF AND NEXT MAY BE FDD, UPND, NAREP ETC. LETS MOVE WITH TIME.
I am shocked that this is coming from Honorable Malozo Sichone, a respected man, who was with Caritas Mpika, an NGO, as an officer just before the 2011 elections. Had it not been for this NGO, which is one of those he is accusing of being sponsored today going by the story, he would probably not be MP and later on minister as it helped to propel him to success. It is really true that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
And this is the guy you are calling “honorable” and “respected”?
“There can be no peace without justice, no justice without law and no meaningful law without a Court to decide what is just and lawful under any given circumstance.” Benjamin Ferencz
It is this supreme law of the Land, citizens are clamouring for.
Sichone, you should be happy the SCO are pressurizing you and PF to release the Constitution, since they are making you deliver the document closer to your theory of within 90days of being in govt we shall have a new constitution. The fact that you have failed, and nothing strange by that in itself, you should be happy with CSO pushing you to leave by your word, promise of 90days theory.
NO need of pressurizing the GOVT which is already doing very well to give us a constitution. WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT THAN A LOUSY CONSTITUTION PLEASE
@ anyoko
I.diot, you should be ashamed and prosecuted for referring to the SUPREME LAW as “lousy constitution “.
@ Muwelewele What are ‘band laws’? Just asking. Please make me understand.
How art thou fallen oh thou ‘honorable’ and ‘respectable’? You now speak like the dragon himself. Your only consolation is that the infamous George Chellah is now on the leash 24/7.
Sichone****** Who are you to utter such nonsense? The will of the people always prevails, even over ruthless dictators like Hitler. Your Ukwa is only a fraction of a man of what Gadaffi used to be. And how did Gadaffi end up?