THE successful amendment of the non-contentious issues in the Republican Constitution has vindicated the Patriotic Front (PF) as a party that means well for the Zambian people, party deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has said.
Ms Phiri said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the people of Zambia had seen for themselves that the PF was a party that stood by its promises and meant to follow the will of the people.
She said there were a number of commentators, including some civil society organisations as well as some opposition political parties, including the United Party for National Development (UPND), that alleged that the ruling party had abandoned the Constitution Bill.
“Some people said that they had information that the PF Members of Parliament (MPs) have been instructed by the secretariat to frustrate the Constitution amendment process.
“The people of Zambia have seen for themselves which people want to frustrate the Constitution-making process. It is surprising that the groups that have been claiming that the Cabinet is bloated, they are the ones pushing for provincial assemblies, executive mayors and other expensive undertakings,” Ms Phiri said.
She said the PF pushed for progressive clauses like the 50+1, the running mate and dual citizenship that the people desired and not clauses that were not urgent and would just end up costing the Government even more, considering that 2016 was a year of the tripartite elections.
Ms Phiri said the country did not have the funds to have provincial assemblies and executive mayors as well as more than 90 nominated MPs.
She said the PF was a listening Government that wanted to honour the will of the people.
Ms Phiri said Zambians were intelligent people who were capable of judging for themselves which political party was sincere in meeting their aspirations.
She challenged the public to question the motive of some civil society organisations and the UPND in asking the Government to reduce spending but demand for things that would increase Government expen
Amnesia at its best indeed. The PF has forgotten that its founding father had once said, “Zambia had a functioning Constitution and it was no hurry to get another” and “Where is the animal driven constitution?” when he was reminded to facilitate the finalisation of the draft constitution seeing that several months had pasted the 90 days target promised during campaigns.
Mumbi should be the thinking the civil societies and opposition parties for continuously reminding her to deliver on her own promises.
……thanking….
Not this woman again!! Imagine having a mom like this. I think I would secretly tell her to focus on issue based politics in order for her to avoid attracting insults.
……thanking….
No person should comment on her senseless blabbing as it is directed to PF cadres.
UPND just used our constituition to gain politically. If they cant respect their party constiruition how can they respect republican constituition? These are the same pipo who change constuitions to remain in power. Thanku PF
You are very right Mumbi, every word that you have said is correct, including the word UPMD.
Edgar has delivered what Kabimba hid away from us. I am surprised that the Past News has ignored this fact, as they are ignoring that violent party cadres are a product of the same Kabimba. It will take time to get the violence out these cadres as it was deeply ingrained in them by Kabimba. But given Edgar’s unflinching determination to do that which is right even in the face of insults from jealous opposition leaders, the problem shall be overcome.
how many pf mp-s voted for 50+1?
kepushe ba noko
Mumbi Phiri is Right. PF has delivered the constitution at minimal cost. Forget the opposition morons barking insults as usual
@Mumbi Spot On. Did not know 90 days lasted so long! People resort to insults when they have been caught not telling the truth or have nothing of substance to say. Not in opposition or otherwise and leaving you guys to sort yourselves out. Ndelolesha fye…..
This is false and misleading. The PF has not given us a new peoples constitution. All they have done is to amend the existing constitution(1991) by including some clauses from the final draft , such as dual citizenship , 50%+1 and running mate. The major clauses have been left out. These three crucial and fundamental articles removed from the people’s constitution were: provincial assemblies; proportional representation and ministers to be appointed from outside parliament.