THE Patriotic Front (PF) has urged the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to provide guidance in the constitution-making process instead of allegedly promoting lawlessness.
PF vice chairperson for the media and publicity committee Sunday Chanda told a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that it is not good for LAZ to slow down the constitution-making process.
He was reacting to the move by LAZ to urge members of Parliament (MPs) to reject Government’s proposal to amend the constitution in a phased manner by taking non-contentious clauses to Parliament and subjecting contentious ones to a referendum.
Mr Chanda said it is wrong for LAZ to call on elected MPs to abscond their duties in Parliament when they are elected to make laws.
“We want to invite LAZ to lead the way in opening up the debate on the details of the final draft constitution. It will be regrettable if LAZ is going to be like NGOs which are not professional bodies,” he said.
Mr Chanda called on LAZ to highlight the contents of the final draft constitution so that the general public can understand the contents.
Mr Chanda also said it is unfortunate that the Grand Coalition on a people-driven constitution is advocating the holding of a referendum before debating the contents of the final draft constitution.
Meanwhile, the PF has described as false and malicious reports by some sections of the media targeted at First Lady Esther Lungu.
Mr Chanda said in a statement yesterday that PF is dismayed at the malicious attacks in Friday’s edition of The Post newspaper editorial targeted at Mrs Lungu.
The Post accused Mrs Lungu of allegedly launching President Lungu’s early campaign.
“Firstly, other first ladies that have gone before Mrs Lungu each did some kind of charity in their own capacities. First ladies the world-over play a critical role in supporting their spouses,” Mr Chanda said.
He said it is important to accept that the country has a first lady who does not sit idly by but reaches out to the needy and vulnerable communities across the country.
“While we do not expect everyone to commend the charitable works Mrs Lungu is doing for the vulnerable across the country, it is desired that commentators rise above pettiness and sheer malice,” Mr Chanda said.
Laz chairman is a cartel member so what do you expect them to do. Just forget about them and concentrate on the developmental agenda otherwise these crooks will just disturb the process.
Are we ever going to vote under a new constitution? Why a referendum anyway, when most people do not even know the meaning of the word ”referendum”. Insisting on a referendum will mean voting under a new constitution in 2021 not 2016.
So critics, check yourselves again.