The traditional leader said Zambians are spending a lot of time talking about the constitution and its content when they should be focusing more on why the country is poor despite having abundant natural resources.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation’s Effie Mphande at his palace in Mungwi district.
The traditional leader explained that the constitution is just a guide and that people should not believe that when they have a new constitution, things will be alright.
There have been mounting calls for Government to quickly enact a people-driven constitution.
Government published the Constitution of Zambia Draft Bill last week, winning praise from a cross section of society.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz says the Government’s idea to have the Constitution Bill done in a phased manner is the right one as long as it is done transparently.
Mr Schultz, however, pointed out that clauses such as how the President and the vice-president should be elected, as well as the Bill of Rights, should be subjected to the referendum.
He observed that the referendum is expensive for Zambia, especially that the country is coming from the presidential election and will hold general elections next year.
Mr Schultz observed that the referendum should be held at the same time with the general elections, a position Government holds.
The US ambassador was speaking to journalists in an interview at the US embassy in Lusaka.
And Mr Schultz says he is proud that he engaged 40 young Zambian leaders in a discussion about steps Zambians are taking to develop their country.
He says Zambia has the fifth largest number of participants on the Mandela Washington Fellowship, behind countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.
I think you have lost this….
Show me one country which has developed without a proper constitution… the only reason you are saying that its because a proper constitution takes away your powers.
And by the way am Bemba
It’s the constitution, styopet!
Only a functional constitution would deliver prudent management of political affairs. As the Bible says, “no one is good – no not one”, you don’t expect those politicians to always act honestly without a functional constitution to police them. And, by the way, our politicians are too corrupt to work for public good!
The Mwinelubemba is right only to a point. We seem to be engrossed in the thinking that the constitution is ONLY a means to political office.
The constitution is a platform on which all citizens are able to fully & equitably participate in the ‘life’ of their country.
An acceptable (read good) constitution is not an end in itself but a means by which we all play a role in the building of our country, sharing the national cake, etc.
Development all we need is to work hard , stop stealing and have zero tolerance to corruption this becouse I don’t think the Chinese have the best constitution
Why is a chief commenting on these issues? Ignorance at its best.
My mbuya Bashilu-babemba mwaitaya. Don’t just look at development as renovations to your palace. A great constitution is the foundation of a developed country. A good constitution will limit the abusive powers of the president and his ministers to safeguard resources and direct them to needy areas. With a good constitution, government will borrow responsibly and invest in sectors that will generate income. With a good constitution, people like Judge Ngoma, General Kanene, Muteteka, Masumba, Mpombo, Bwezani banda would have been serving their jail terms for the crimes against Zambians. With a good constitution, the ACC, DEC, Zambia Police, CEEC, would function freely and professionally and Margaret Mwanakatwe wouldn’t have dubiously acquired that loan meant for the under privileged. A good…
Why is Dora the explorer commenting on these issues? Ignorance at its best.