Vice President, Guy Scott, has assured the nation that government has not abandoned the constitution making process as being espoused by opposition political parties and civil society.
Dr Scott says the delay in enacting a new constitution has been necessitated by government’s resolve to come up with a constitution that suits and meets the dynamism of the country in meeting the aspirations of the people.
He said this yesterday in Livingstone when he addressed a Patriotic Front (PF) party meeting at the Civic Centre.
He said the Technical Committee Drafting the Constitution has failed to justify proposed wholesale changes to the current constitution as reflected in the draft copy.
[pullquote]“The British system has worked for over 500 years. It has got its own weaknesses and the owners have not complained, and it has been working here,” he said.[/pullquote]
The Vice President said there has been no strong reason advanced for demands to change the British style of governance that has nominated and elected members of parliament forming Cabinet and to the American style of Cabinet where cabinet composition is drawn from outside the circles of parliament.
“The British system has worked for over 500 years. It has got its own weaknesses and the owners have not complained, and it has been working here,” he said.
Dr Scott said government is strongly opposed to enacting ideological fantasies from the draft constitution such as the right to food because they are unrealistic and inapplicable.
The Vice President also urged party members to bury their differences and focus on reorganising and strengthening the party in Southern Province in order to gain political foothold.
He noted that Southern Province is a difficult province but advised PF members to point out the developmental projects being undertaken by the government in order to woo members.
[pullquote]Dr Scott said government is strongly opposed to enacting ideological fantasies from the draft constitution such as the right to food because they are unrealistic and inapplicable.[/pullquote]
Dr Scott reminded the party that there are four by-elections in Petauke Central, Malambo, Kasenengwa and Vubwi Constituencies in Eastern province that need to be won.
And speaking earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister, Harry Kalaba, dispelled conceptions that President Sata has deliberately made Southern Province lag behind in development.
Mr Kalaba said President Sata moved the provincial capital from Livingstone to Choma in order to accelerate development in Choma and the rest of Southern province.
He said the province has received the highest budgetary allocation in the 2014 national budget to spur development in the region.
Also speaking at the same meeting, Southern Province Minister, who is also PF Provincial Chairman, Daniel Munkombwe, implored the Vice President to compel Ministers and Members of Parliament to visit PF structures than wait for 2016.
I have always known that Guy Scott is a dull chap but his reasoning on the new constitution is unthinkable. Just because the British have not complained doesn’t mean that we shuld do the same. Does Guy Scot understand the meaning of a people driven constitution? Am not surprised he’s more British than us so for him its ok
So are they saying they have rejected the draft constitution? What is the next step? We have made proposals and yet this man is saying that the committee has failed to justify the changes. I thought that even the PF manifesto (before the 2011 elections was suggesting such changes. They simply want to use ministerial appointments as bait to win opposition politicians over. Yaba!
Now you know that not only to you have a black monkey for a president…. you have also been blessed with a white chimpanzee for a vice president
Actually the British don’t have a constitution.
Dotty Scotty never ceases to amaze.
Now he wants the Technical Committee to “JUSTIFY”. Is it the TCs mandate to Justify. The TC’s mandate was to collect WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT and compile it. The bring it back to the PEOPLE to ratify.
If there is need to JUSTIFY anything it is the owners and originators of the document – THE PEOPLE – to JUSTIFY. Not the govt. Not the PF. Not the TC
Sir Muzungu, It is a PEOPLE DRIVEN Constitution.
I certainly have no regard for Guy Scott and I don’t believe he commands the title of Dr. Nonetheless we should objectively “read, understand and analyse” articles before we condemn or call people names. I know it is hard to avoid that when it’s this lumpen. But Scott raises a valid point. Who proposed that we have an American style cabinet? What is wrong with the current system where cabinet is made up of MP’s sitting with the President? What merits where advanced for the American style and did the “Zambian people” debate this and make an informed decision…or is it a few individuals who have been exposed to the American system who have added this without much debate? I am interested in the benefits of such a system over our current one. Hope it’s not change just for change sake…
@Bwana Mkubwa
Very well said!
And this is precisely the reason why you should never allow white people inside any african organisation. their goal is not for the people, but to make sure that the white supremacy is well catered for in any society. He clearly tells you in your face, that what you think is right for you is absolutely ludicrous and we should follow the ways of his people the british because only they know what is good and right for you. If this is not white supremacy then i dont know what is. And we fail to read between the lines and see the man for what he actually stands for. If the draft constitution is stupid, immoral or foolish, let it be so, because that is what we have decided for ourselves as zambians. That is what sovereignty is all about. The right to determine our own destination!!!!
white supremacy at work. straight from the mouth of a white man. only british constitution is good, so good that it should reign supreme over any constitution thought of by the non-thinking black zambians. in your face all those who think umusungu munobe!!!!!!
because he is British and he sees no problem with constitution,uyu ni muzungu opusa.
@Its a worry.
Agreed. But the point still remains. Guy Scott should not attack the TC for the current contents of the Draft Constitution.
After the TC was appointed, ample time was given for debate and contributions from the whole Zambia. People made contribution after which the first draft was released. This was further debated on freely. The question is – where was he that time? Didn’t he notice that the British system was being supplanted that time?
We know all these are delaying tactics by the PF not to deliver the constitution by 2016.
@its a worry, do you understand separation of powers as taught at grade six level. Just to remind you; we have the legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive. These three arms of Government must be independent of each other while collaborating to enhance transparency and also to provide checks and balances. Separation of powers has failed to work in Zambia because over one third of legislature is also executive. We need to separate the two.The Judiciary is ok in its present form.
Scott should not compare us with the British system – thats a Monarch with some non elective Queen. We have a President. In a way ours is a confused system encompassing American and British systems – thats why we are confused and running in circles like a dog chasing its tail.
More LIES and DECEPTION from this PF CL0WN!
The Technical Committee asked the people what they want, and that is what is in the Draft CONSTITUTION.
This arrogant muzungu thinks he knows better than the people of Zambia!
I thought the Constitution hasn’t been handed over to the President and as such no one has had a look at Look!!!!!
Its now crystal clear that the pf government has hijacked the constitution ,as Dr Scott claims that the want the people needs are not pf needs.in some countries this man would have been deported through mass protest as he seems not to have a heart for the future of our country.
There you have it, you heard it all. Scott is also dull!
What about ZAMBIAN PEOPLE will? It surely accounts for something? But then, what other *****ic comets we can expect from a geriatric compulsory liar?
Guy Scott, please stop worrying about clauses in the draft constitution. It is OURS and the future generation’s. You celebrated your SEVENTIETH birthday three days ago. That means you’re in the departure lounge of your life. Can’t you get that in your thick head?!
Politicians are the same. They moan and shriek during campaigns like orgasmic pigs and after they have what they want they show you bare hands and dare you to prove what they promised. We do need a new 21st Century reality. This Agricultural Revolution type of politics has failed!!!!
Forget the constitution people. People who own dogs, am sure, are failing to see the difference between Scott and their pets. It’s not upto you Mr Scott to decide whether that Clause is good for Zambia or not. If you do that then it’s a person driven constitution.
HH knows how to best describe this chola boy for Sata. What can we say, we as Zambians have been deceived by the PF over the constitution. Come 2016 we know what to do
Mr Kalaba said President Sata moved the provincial capital from Livingstone to Choma in order to accelerate development in Choma and the rest of Southern province.
If we have a large budget allocation, we are in June now, why are the roads within Choma in such a but state. Even just merely grading them will give us a relief.
Guy Scott is saying;
1. The British have a better constitution
2. Blacks or Zambians can not come up with a constitution that is workable
3. Until the British complain about their constitution that is when Zambian can also justify complaining about theirs
4. It is dangerous for Government to guarantee food or education to citizens
Starting from last week’s comments by Mr Scott, its clear that he is L O L at Zambians and how comfertable they get with hardship/poverty. Insane
5 years is over you stupit white man . Lets see who will vote for you. You shall start rearing pigs once more.
Zambia, that’s your impotent vice president’s reasoning on OUR constitution.
Guy Scott is not a Zambian name, Scott articulates on British constitution but Zambians are on about Zambian Constitution. Scott does/will not legitimately represent views of Zambians.
I have to admit I am shocked! Clearly, Dr Scott does not mean well for our Country and future generations. In essence he is saying any advancement is not good because according to him British colonial rule is better for Zambia. What is this??. What makes a vice-President talk to people and insult then like this?? The devil is in the answer to this question.
Nonsense! Zambians are clever than that now. These guys are using old tricks which can’t work in Zambia today. 2016, with or without a new constitution, PF is gone.
The main reason we are firing them from ruling us is they are all dull like Scott.
But he’s right, which country guarantees the people food or jobs? It’s fantasy
Mr. VP, who gave you the impression that you are more intelegent than the 13 million plus Zambians who want a review of your archaic colonial British constitution? For your own information whether you thich the British constitution is better than what we have proposed or not, your will will never prevail but the might of more than 13 million Zambians who want a drastic constitutional overhaul that guarantees their freedoms,guarantees progress and prosperity for us , for our children and generations to come.Abash your mediocre reasoning! Start sweating now because 2016 is around the next bend.Adois colonialist!
Get an education from somewhere. Britain has no constitution, he is talking about the parliamentary system and whether to change it. What’s your actual argument apart from impotent hatred for PF?
And being a racist idi0t
So Scott has has just confirmed that the PF is re-drafting the constitution.
So much for a people-driven constitution.
And while we are denied our constitution, we are also denied the right to question the government about food security. Wow! This is such a mind-blow.
I need a moment to take all this in.
Plus, we are now forced to use his “British” way of doing things because “they work?”
#Bufi
#OneZambia
#ForTheGoodOfTheNation
The Technical Committee had its terms of Reference and Justifying what people want to be contained in the Constitution is certainly NOT one of them. Mr Scott please…..!!
It is not what the Technical Committee wants but what the people of Zambia want!
I am talking about our British inspired constitution that we have in place which is no longer ternable in Zambia. I voted for the PF with a view that they would listen to thew voice of the majority Zambians by respecting our wishes and aspirations. What Mr. Scot is saying is contrary to what they told us before 2011,the reason they got our vote. I am not a racist , but for him to patronise us claiming what we aspire for is inferior to what we have embraced so far ( the British style of governance) is wrong and cannot get my support or the support of any sane and progressive Zambian who needs the best for our country’s future. This is a democracy, I have my vote and I’ll certainly exercise my right and ‘retire’ the people who lied to us, the VP inclusive.
“As an active participant in door-to-door, close-quarters combat in Iraq, one of the things that brought me hope was the fact that I was valued enough by my country…,” former Army medic and Iraq War veteran Brock McNabb – that is a proud citizen !
Be damned Mr Scott for yet another salvo of mental and oral diarrhoea in recent days! You hold a party meeting in a civic building and call that the british model? You don’t even UPHOLD the virtues of a Speakers’ Corner, you sneer the electorate in the face, you threaten the TC, you openly INSULT blacks in RSA and think we don’t catch your drift? Panyo pako, iwe muzungu wapusilatu manje and I hope before God and my people that you will be brought to book for such utter RUBBISH !!
When HH said this guy behaved like a colonialist, a lot of people descended on him like a ton of bricks saying he was racist. When he said ‘Nikalibe kuona muzungu opusa monga uyu’, again the racist chant went out. Guy Scott has issued a lot of derogatory statements against citizens of this country and other black Africans. The South African remarks are still very fresh in our minds. No wonder he was ignored at the funeral of Nelson Mandela. Recently, he called opposition MPs monkeys. He called Given Lubinda a dog, and now this! How long are we going to tolerate this man? Zambians, have we all been injected with tranquilizers?
Guy Scott Sir; you can make all sorts of excuses, but we want the people driven constitution, we are not British and after 50 years you are wanting us to still live under the coloniel rules, no no no we want it, just because it puts you guys jobs on the line, tuff we want it;