Friday, March 29, 2024

Don’t blame Technical Committee for constitution stalemate-Rev Matale

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Technical Committee:TECHNICAL Committee on Drafting the Constitution spokesperson Ernest Mwansa speaking during a media briefing, as other members (from R to L) Patrick Mvunga, Reuben Lifuka, Suzanne Matale, Simon Kabanda, Chief Luchembe (third from left), Mwangala Zaloumis and Lubinda Aongola listen in
Technical Committee:TECHNICAL Committee on Drafting the Constitution
spokesperson Ernest Mwansa speaking during a media briefing, as other
members (from R to L) Patrick Mvunga, Reuben Lifuka, Suzanne Matale,
Simon Kabanda, Chief Luchembe (third from left), Mwangala Zaloumis and
Lubinda Aongola listen in

A member of the defunct Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution has jumped to the defence of the performance of the committee saying it performed its duties excellently.

Reverend Suzanne Matale said she was personally happy to have been part of the technical committee drafting the constitution.

Reverend Matale who is also Secretary General of the Council of Churches of Zambia said the committee comprised men and women of brilliant minds who applied themselves to the task diligently.

She was speaking when she featured on the Hot Seat radio programme on Lusaka’s Hot FM.

“It would be so unfair to apportion blame on the technical committee for the stalemate on the constitution. Although I am not the Spokesperson of the committee, I wish to place it on record that the committee did an excellent job. The passion exhibited by the men and women in that committee was pleasing to see,” he said.

Reverend Matale added, “No iota of blame should be apportioned on the technical committee. These people did a brilliant job and handed over the report to the appointing authority as requested for.”
She also appealed to Zambians to keep pushing for the release of the draft constitution.

“We produced a good report and a good draft constitution and it is now up to Zambians to press the Executive to release the draft report.”

On the same programme, Reverend Matale said the Oasis Forum is still vibrant and has not lost steam.
“The Oasis is still very strong and the perception that we have lost steam is incorrect. We are still the defenders of our republican constitution and we will continue pushing for a just society,” Reverend Matale said.

And featuring on the same programme, Law Association of Zambia Vice President Linda Kasonde bemoaned the low levels of civic knowledge among citizens.

Ms. Kasonde said the Oasis Forum and other like-minded organisations have been going round the country to raise interest among citizens on the demand for a new constitution.

9 COMMENTS

  1. Only fools would have trusted Sata to deliver a people driven constitution. Suzanne, just shut up and admit you went in it for the money. You were advised that the whole Technical Committee arrangement (full of Bemba non legal brains including some Catholic priests and a Bemba chief) was a total waste of time and money but you nevertheless participated. I can assure you people no longer trust religious leaders like you and the Catholic priests because you have demonstrated your treachery starting with your support for a person of unsound mind to become president. Now see where Zambia is. No one is listening to you guys anymore. PF will be kicked out in 2016 not because of but in spite of you.

  2. Well Stick around, Your work will begin when the draft is released. You are the people who will tell us if there has been any Doctoring

  3. The constitution debate is for the rich who have time to sit and keep talking. Us we want jobs, food on the table period. Ati ba technical team! Look at the picture the guys look so healthy. They sit in AC cooled offices and drink tea and drive in their posh cars with windows rolled up then they send us the poor to go and march and throw stones and make noise on their behalf so they can win and continue with their lavish lifestyles.

  4. Its sad that we have people that can lie that when voted into power they will deliver a new constitution and have now failed.Zambia shall ever remain poor.

  5. It should have been better if Suzanne indicated as to when was draft handed over to the said authority and why did the TC accept to release it at night or privately

  6. Linda if LAZ has pointed out something immediately exhibited by the first blogger. Instead of showing a grip on the subject the blogger veers off course and starts ranting. This is why we are being dribbled out of our vote and aspirations. We seem to have a deficit in comprehending and articulating matters. I would love to know from Suzanne what push beyond placard waving the Oasis group is making. I would also be interested to know who actually must uphold or change (even doctor) this document. That is a case the citizenry are interested in as stakeholders. Who wields the final blow?

  7. “These people did a brilliant job and handed over the report to the appointing authority as requested for.” Mrs. Matale, was this ‘request’ in accordance with the terms of reference? As I understand, releasing it to the public at the same time was part of the ToR so I would say the Technical Committee failed the Zambian people in this regard.

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