Chief Government Spokesman Chishimba Kambwili says Government will only amend clauses in the draft constitution that are not in the interest of the people of Zambia.
Reacting to media reports suggesting that government has amended the running mate clause in the draft constitution, Mr. Kambwili said he was not aware of any such a move by the Government.
‘We have got our own position as a party and Government on certain clauses. The clauses that we feel are not in the best interest of Zambia, we will go ahead and amend, we have got the right, they also have the right to amend. That is why the Bill is in Parliament for us to debate so that we agree to disagree,’ Mr. Kambwili said.
He added, ‘That is the whole purpose of debate. It is not the question of approving the draft the way it is. If you look at that constitution, if it is approved the way it is, all the money we collect in Zambia will go towards governance, there will be no money to pay civil servants, there will be no money to run the hospitals, all the money will go to pay constitutional office holders and we are not an irresponsible government, we have to be responsible.’
‘We have to look at other issues in the economy so we cannot continue creating political positions at the expense of our people.’
The way our leaders act as though they will live forever on earth. People for once let us think about others too. our children, great grand children. what is the benefit to the future when you/we are no more.
How you leaders behave as though you live forever. remember we had tough guys e.g chiluba, tetamashimba, etc name it bra bra, where are they? think about others please. do best and you will be honored forever in Zambia and world over.
Zambians debated and made submissions before a legally constituted Constitutional Review Commission on how they want their country to be administered. Kambwili and his gang are saying they know better than the collective Zambians. What was then the point of wasting our scarce resources in collecting our views and throwing then through the window? Someone will have to answer this question in September 2016.
Kambwili should have said, PF will amend clauses that are not in the interest of the Party.
Do not lie that Zambians are against those clauses.
Only UNPD will give Zambia the best constitution it needs to promote real democracy.
2016 Vote UPND
If govt believed all along that they knew better what was in our “best interest as the Zambian People”, why did they spend all that time and large sums of our money on a review commission?
All what this means is that another govt will come in and we will go through this same process again, most likely with the same outcome.
All this because those we elect almost always never go to Parliament and govt to serve the interests of their country but their own personal interests.
Kambwili looks intelligent with his mouth shut.
They keep falling in the same trap…wonder why?
Another contradiction. Simbyakula told parliament that the Government had no position yet Kambwili says they do. Just exposing their lies.
@house fly I was thinking exactly the same. This is a government which ‘won’ the last election by a slender and questionable majority and yet Kambwili is talking like PF owns all Zambians. The saddest thing is how the whole MMD once the father of democracy can sink so low as to be duped by the ever false promising PF into voting alongside them. The civil society and UPND have been vindicated for expressing their fears over PF’s intentions to manipulate the people’s will expressed in the draft constitution. All MPs who supported this bill must bow their heads in shame for letting the people of Zambia down once again and Zambians should never vote for such liars and their parties into power come 2016.
You all need to read General Miyanda’s points on the need for debate. He gives an example of the problem the 50%+1 clause will create if it is adopted in its current form. It needs to be debated and amended according to the people’s wishes. There are some clauses in the draft Constitution that cannot be passed as they are because the cost implications on Zambia will be astronomical.
@Wanzelu
No they won’t. They too will get in power and realize how sweet it is and won’t want to change it. Remember what Chiluba said after tasting it: Power is sweet.
The only way we can have a good Constitution is in the current situation where the ruling party is scared of losing elections and so to make sure they are not persecuted after losing, they enact a Constitution that guarantees rights of citizens, reduces Presidential powers, etc. But our ruling party is of a different thought and so, after their loss, they will also be persecuted like they have done to others.
Whoever supported motion of tabling the bills in Parliament in hope that PF will not tamper with the contents of the draft must be be licking some part of their body now.
.Whoever supported the motion of tabling the bills in Parliament in hope that PF will not tamper with the contents of the draft must be be licking some part of their body now.
There’s need to amend some of the clauses. Why should we have Provincial Assemblies with its own Ministers. Where will money come from for such. One thing that Zambians don’t understand is that we a very small economy actually smaller than even Lagos but we always want to live in an Utopian world. The issue of running mate doesn’t usually work as most of them become indiscipline and show a lot of insolence to president especially in Africa. Also abandon the 50 plus 1 as no one will achieve it in the first round due to regional voting. We will go for reruns for as long as something that resembles Ichilema is in race
@Zemuntu Resurrection let me warn you that we are aware that in Zambia there is a secreet policy to make sure that Zambia remains there it is since independency (thus being in the hands of certain tribes from the same regions of Zambia )This is the reason they will always fight the is of provincial assemblies or Federalism .The refusal to have 50+1 is simply to denial so called small tribes such Tonga or Lozi ever to ascent to presidency of the republic of Zambia.There fear is the issue of Barotseland and the separation of Zambia.This the reason why Zambians will continue voting the way they are voting.My profess is that weather they like it or not this the way Zambia will take.The so called small tribes will unite the rest will be history.
Let things remain the way people want them to be. If we spend all the money on such structures so be it! Somehow this money will be used by the same people and it will circulate in the economy for other uses.
What is your problem…you keep bringing excuses all the time bankusa
Sido Mark
Take your tribalism poop and shove it again where the sun doesn’t shine caveman
Sometimes I don’t comment because my mouth is full of bad words and unprintables, so I tend not to.
kikikikikiki… then how does it become a people driven piece of legislature when you omit & alter things that you promised to spearhead and enact once in power…? more popcorn please.
God will surely speak for his people.tired of commenting.
Slowly slowly Fr Leonard Chiti’s fears are coming to manifest. By the time we wake up we will still be at point zero & then we will talk about another CRC. How in this cursed house of prayer we never learn.
PF shows its true colours, Another constitution bites the dust. Maybe Zambians should just give up on the idea. Too much money wasted.
Most – if not all – successful democracies have invested in good governance. This means strong institutions, separation (yes – not just in Social Studies and Civics) of powers and a clear empowerment of citizens’ aspirations. Whatever the minutiae in the draft bill, it still stands to bear that a good collection of institutions that are free from the machinations of the executive are the way to go.
For once vocal Kambwili has a point here. Parliament will oversee these conflicting clauses and come to an amicable solution. After all, parliament includes members from both sides of the political divide and the opposition cannot allow conflicting clauses to pass. After all, Zambians have the final say by way of voting. Nevertheless, there is no constitution that serves all the people 100% but we keep ammending it time after time depending on the circumstances. Simple wrangles will make the govt take advantage and postpone the whole affair to an unspecified timeline. This however should not be construed to imply that the ruling party ammend the draft the best way it knows how.
Yes! where zambia shall mean P.F – proper fools
These *****ss that Sata imposed on us should have gone with him. Now we are stuck with this copperstone uni graduate and others. Sata was a curse to Zambia. There I said it.
When some of us said that Sata was a curse we were insulted. Its a curse which will forever live to destroy Zambia and Zambians will live to regret
Indeed, he was a curse. An illiterate for the highest office and the standard has been lowered so low that even Kambwili thinks he very much qualifies for the presidency. Not speaking of our drunkered currently in the office.
Kambwili has the audacity to suggest that PF knows better than the people who made submissions. They cannot be trusted going by the way they have mismanaged our economy
Only time will tell
ONCE LIARS, ALWAYS LIARS
Comment:I am indeed happy that ino refused to kill HH for Zambians would have been mourning by today,it is very sad to remember how the late MazokA left this world,may his soul continue resting in peace, .Go to Zambian watchdog for the sad news.Please pf supporters refuse any murder attack Viva Ino
Here we go again: Partisan interests over and above national interests! No robust constitution can stand on such wobbly feet.
Could this be the reason you dont want the referendum? As a good citizen who responsibly contributes to the treasury thru PAYE I choose to adopt the clauses without any form of alterations or erasure.
And these are the leaders who kneel before us begging for votes…who are they to decide our best interests?
The South African constitution is widely classified as a people’s constitution and yet it was drafted by the ANC who even omitted or removed the death penalty clause against the wishes of the vast majority of South Africans.
You are lost boss
Who told you that the ANC drafted the South African constitution…? To mant dull Zambians has made the country go to the Dogs
Zambians will triumph weather it takes 50yrs from now.The current secret system will crumble.
why Zambians stupid to say wat they want and PF thinks they know wat is better for us. No wonder fr chit
They want to remove provincial assemblies, which was part of the submissions to enhance good governance under the decentralisation process. But what forum will serve the purpose of approval body of developmental projects in a democratic and self determining governance at local level?
Personally, I do not mind any one speaking or acting on my behalf, on behalf of my children, grand children and great children as long as that person is civil, well informed, sober minded, and sincerely means well in their actions other than satisfying their own ego or for the own benefit.
Mr Kambwili sir, who do you think you are? What you are speaking is rubbish to say the least.
I think we are destined as a country to witness another political shift next year, we are holding very dearly to our voters card……that will settle the debate of who has the last word regarding the posterity of our country. May the deserving party carry the day next year.
What does he mean all the money will go to governance. Maybe I fell asleep but when was the budget based on the new constitution done. Let him provide a financial analysis of what he is talking about. Typical of Zambians to claim things without any empirical evidence. I repeat, even if someone will condemn me let us learn to read and research. You can tell the minister is talking from without. The man is comfortable campaigning and wasting our money in useless by-elections, hiring a plane for 300,000 dollars creating a cabinet bigger than that of the US which has over 300 million people compared to our 14 million or so but hey provincial assemblies are expensive. Give us another excuse please!!!!
I said this before, once PF leaves, the next government will begin this process again. Kambwili has of course done a donchi kubeba on those who were foolish enough to believe the PF could be trusted. More money out of our pockets!!!
Below is what I wrote last week; (reacting to Mulongoti)
What makes you think all the Constitutional clauses suggested by Zambians during the review process will be passed? What if half are rejected? I thought to have a proper Constitution required a direct vote from the people through a referendum after the Constitutional committee had delimited all the important clauses suggested through the review. Parliament was then to pass it as a law. For me, this is a mere amendment of a Constitution exercise – not a new Constitution. If all the clauses are voted in, it will have been a coincidence. The process you choose determines the legitimacy of the Constitution and ownership. This process does not. It is a myth that all that parliament enacts or decides is representative of what the people…
I foresaw this when I stated that it was not for Parliament to have the last word on the Constitution. Government simply hijacks it and you end up with mere amendments, not a new dispensation that reflects the will of the people.
Its this kind of deceptiveness that I detest wholeheartedly. They first tell us nothing will be changed as it will be a peoples constitution and now they say “Will change for what is not in the best of peoples interest” – which people? This Draft Constitution has been debated and contributed by all sections of Zambians at great cost and since Mwanwasa’s Government. The basis of my initial support for Parliament to proceed enacting the non contentious clauses as is was the fact that it made a lot of sense and economical. I now see where Father Chiti is coming from and these chaps in PF Government cannot be trusted. Really whose interest would PF Government change the clauses for? Certainly not mine as I am happy with the original Draft Constitution that was presented to Government last…
One of the most useless ministers ever produced in Zambia history,Mr global.
“TAIPITILE” DO NOT BE CHEATED AND UNLEASH ALL YOUR ANGER. CK DOES NOT HAVE THE FINAL SAY. THIS MAN LIKES OPENING HIS MOUTH BEFORE THINKING. IF THE REASON FOR AVOIDING THE REFERENDUM WAS TO THROW AWAY THE RUNNING MATE CLAUSE AND THE 50%+1, THEN THE PF IS TAKING US FOR A RIDE. RIGHT NOW WE CAN GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF DOUBT. AND EVERYTHING IS ON COURSE. PEOPLE LIKE CK SHOULD BE IGNORED FOR NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE A LOOSE CANON THAT FIRES ANYHOW.
De javu or is it ground hog day!! Ati iiyi film twali itambapo akale. It was starring FTJ as ” Don Chichi the master dribbler” , Tetamashimba as “the bouncer”, Brag.Gn Miyanda as “the chief protagonist” and featuring one Michael Sata as “the King Cobra”. The title, if my memory serves me right was “The Constitutional Conspiracy- How NOT to Give The People What They Want ” Its just a pity that people who should know better are now taking acting lessons from the same flopped project.
@SIDO MARK. JUDGING FROM YOUR ENGLISH, ONE CAN TELL THAT YOUR LEVEL OF EDUCATION LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED. BUT THAT IS BESIDES THE POINT. YOUR REASONING THAT THE SO CALLED SMALL TRIBES (TONGAS AND LOZIS, ACCORDING TO YOU) CAN ASCEND TO POWER WHEN YOU HAVE 50%+1 CLAUSE PASSED IS VERY WRONG. WITH THE CURRENT SIMPLE “MAJORITY VOTE”, THESE YOUR SO CALLED SMALL TRIBES HAVE FAILED TO ASCEND TO POWER. WHAT IF YOU INTRODUCE THE 50%+1? THE BAR WILL EVEN BE TOO HIGHER FOR THEM TO REACH. ITS LIKE EXPECTING A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN FAILING EXAMS ALL ALONG WITH A LOWER CUT OFF POINT TO PASS WHEN THE CUT OFF POINT IS INCREASED. DONT MISUNDERSTAND ME. I SUPPORT THE 50%+1 CLAUSE, BUT NOT FOR THE SAME SHALLOW REASONS AS YOURS.
and who’re ‘you?’ who’re ‘the people’. democracy is govt of the people for the people by the people. really? certainly not anywhere in a materialistic social system. here my friend the people are those who’ve wealth to make rules. it may not even be your poor MP who could just be an escort. make anything peopleish and donor aid will freeze coz it will be waste of resources.
Put a muzzle on Kambwili. He makes sense when his gob is shut!!
there can never be a people driven constitution because not all Zambians expressed their views on whatever clauses are in the draft constitution. Even during the final discussions on the draft constitution there was no consensus on those same contentious clauses. the question we should be asking is who are the people that made submissions to the commission ? it is people with interests to protect and those who claim they represent the masses. suppose we went for a referendum and 60% of the eligible voters say yes to the clauses proposed, will we say this a people driven constitution? what about the 40% who vote no? let parliamentarians debate and build consensus on the final document.
The clause for the running mate should be amended because the current form in which it was drafted is not fair. There will be some candidates under the running mate who are popular than their presidential candidates. Hence, we should have the separate ballot paper for the Vice presidential candidate so that if it means to have a Republican Vice President from a different political party its fine . Rather than imposing and disadvantaging other Vice presidential candidates. Its not automatic that when you vote for a presidential candidate of your choice, you also vote for the Vice presidential candidate. The regional voting that we experience in our country may disadvantage credible leaders. The Zambian Cake should be shared equally by all citizens. I would not mind to seeing the President…
I would not mind to seeing the President elect and Vice President Elect coming from two different political parties. My appeal to all members of parliament who have been given this task , please debate this issue to the fullest. I will be listening to the parliamentary debates. For those who will not not consider my concern, I will take it personal and de campaign them heavily. Viva Heritage Party