Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said the process to amend the Republican Constitution will proceed, whether the opposition rejects the roadmap or not. He told a media briefing in Lusaka that the government desired to accommodate all views but would not yield to destructive forces.
On Monday, an alliance of 10 opposition political parties rejected the set roadmap for the constitution amendment, accusing government of adopting a process that is not inclusive.
However, Lubinda has said the government would cultivate the support of the civil society and independent lawmakers to ensure the process was done according to the agreed roadmap.
He said some UPND lawmakers could be relied upon to vote with the ruling party to ensure that the two-thirds threshold in Parliament was met.
Lubinda further stated that the opposition political alliance must not be “agents of retarding national development” through their “acts of opposing every move taken by government to refine the constitution of Zambia”.
He also denied claims by the political alliance that the proposed roadmap was meant to manipulate the constitution amendment process.
K 2 million has been set aside for the constitution amendment process with the first sets of meetings scheduled for the first week of next month.
And Lubinda dispelled assassination claims by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema since the Patriotic Front took office in 2011.
When asked why government authorities had allowed Hichilema to continue accusing government of targeting to kill him, Lubinda said the opposition leader “is forcing the system to react” but maintained that government was above politics of assassinations.
Why should the opposition be involved now, they have not been part of it from inception?
Of course it will lubinda!!!!! yes bwana, yes bwana its your type.
Mr Lubinda said opposition political alliance must not be “agents of retarding national development…” Actually this opposition alliance is full of retards. The Delusional Dictator HH said yesterday that MPs are not a representation of the people. And he wants to be president!
When is the ICC coming, it’s important and more urgent?
Huge heroes party and dancing by ECL + Co last time round when they signed the constitution, now Zayelo wants to amend the constitution minus opposition. Remember Brig G Miranda pleaded with ECL not to sign the amendment but ignored
Sure, go ahead and amend it. The next party in government will remove those amendments and you won’t participate. Life goes on. That is Zambia for you.
And you will cultivate the support of civil society?
Going by the way you operate, you should have said you shall “fertilize” the support of civil society. Civil Society is not an island, as individuals they belong to some political party.
it has to go on. let you not be destructed by this power seeking delusional alliance.
Mukanya amapwetete yalya yene mwanyele mu Heroes mwalifilwa no kupipa. Boasting for nothing, when all brains are candidates for Chainama? What makes you think you can do a good job when your specialization is madness? You make a constitution which confuses yourselves including the Judges and you still want to show off on the swinging chair which belongs to intellectuals?
Good and bad.
UPND and it’s MPS must take part in the constitution amendment to avoid unnecessary problem in 2021 when they loose elections.
This time around we must all take part and read the constitution and submit our petition and being subjected to drama at the last.
I appeal to UPND MPS not to be mislead by any one on this.If you will not participate,don’t come and cry loudest in 2021 and no one will entertain you.
This is the opportunity that you have.
BJ…Unfortunately clueless Lungu never reads the constitution. He signs it with his eyes closed. Very embarrassing. This time around, they need to make him read it. Part of the responsibilities of a president is to defend the constitution. So how can he defend a constitution whose contents he doesn’t know? But that’s clueless Lungu for you.
Zambian opposition party logic:
1. Opposition political parties REJECTED the set roadmap for the constitution amendment,
2. Accusing government of adopting a process that is not inclusive.
How do you oppose taking part in the process then say it’s not inclusive?
IF UPND is banned the govt can empty those seats in Parliament. Run by elections so ordinary patriotic Zambians can take their place. They can get the numbers required to make the changes that way
!MBECILE
Since PF got rid of Winter Kabimba, they have been without a ‘Mr Fix It,’ henchman. You need to fix these problems of troublesome petty politicians who want to cause chaos inorder they get into govt.
Multiparty politics does not work in Zambia, sadly. The opposition is disappointing bunch of rubble Rouser with no connection to ordinary citizens.
rubble rousers…… with no connection to ordinary citizens.
!MBECILE ABROAD, it is your “Mr. Fix It” who has destroyed draft of the “People driven Constitution”.
As if they have a choice
Careful Bo Given. You will need that constitution when you are in the opposition. Better do a good job. Nothing lasts forever. Napita mukwai!
What happened to the one u signed at heroes? Didn’t we tell u the same thing we are telling u now?
Opposition don’t involve yourself into that program,mind you , you are dealing with criminals who cannot be trusted.which province voted in Zambia gave chibuli ,mwanawasa and kaunda100percent votes? SOUTHERN province. Now which tribalism are they talking these son of bitchs?
Those that don’t participate will cry foul in 2021 and it will be on their own heads. MPs are elected to debate policy. This is why people go to polls to elect their representatives and have their voice be heard. MPs represent People not the Party by not debating they are robbing people of the use of their vote. No debate then policy goes through unchallenged without their input. I don’t take sides politically but opposition in Zambia has lost direction on what it means to provide effective checks and balances.
Kindly explain why k2 million for this process?
Changing the constitution to rig elections!! This is a democratic country everyone needs to fully understand why it must be changed and everyone needs to agree.
We are not a one party state ba Lubinda
Money is paid to MPs to facilitate consultative meetings and town halls in their respective constituencies for feedback on matters of concern for MPs to voice in parliament. The money Also includes funding of NGOs senetization prograns that champion civil society interests. Also for paying for Radio, TV and print media sensitization. These are not free or cheap. I think the money is half what it should be I forsee budget overruns on this process since it’s a big country to cover with multi languages for interpretation
Maybe the money will be enough since opposition MP constituencies will not be represented in this process due to the boycott.
HH doesn’t realise that he is just an ordinary citizen,someone need to remind him he has no instrument of power but just a dreamer who has no love for ordinary citizens but hungry for power .
Have people even familiarized themselves with the inter purpose before commenting? Already there were issues on ambiguity of term of office for the president. Time to submit election petition, POA etc. now that people are invited to work to address these they boycott or think that the process is intended to rig elections. We are better than this let’s Reason together to move the country forward. Remember the saying ‘If you are not at the table you are on the Menu’. Meaning: meaning that if you are not represented at the decision-making table, you are in a strategically vulnerable position, you get left out, or, worse yet, you are on the menu.
When Mwanawasa died, we were still talking about the Constitution. How many years have passed? Don’t bore us with the same sht, you can go ahead and amend the document but do it quietly. We have things to do than bother about the endless process of Constitution making. We have already lost enough time and money
This is the attitude that has led to what our southern neighbour Zimbabwe to be what it is . A lack of concern and people changing the constitution right in ur face
For avoidance of any doubt, the “ex post facto” rule is settled at common law, that the law is not applied retrospectively.
Events before do not count.
And this you learn at the earlier stages of the law degree.
Ba ndeloleshafye mwalemba ama lectures ayi page one to fifteen.
Just trying to shed light where I can. Blogging is actually supposed to be a sharing of ideas not of insults or posturing. Historically the Black Man has been exploited because of neglect of the Law and small print. This is why Chiefs in pre-colonial times gave up their peoples land to white imperialists as far as the horizon ends for a gun and a mirror. Forgetting that the horizon begins where it ends. So to shun a constitutional making process is like the saying ‘cutting off your Nose to Spite the Face’. It’s no different to pre-colonial ignorance. I wonder how people born with the faculty of Reason follow self centered politicians and fake pastors willingly. Always to the slaughter as the Bible says.
Spot on, Nde!!
I believe, when the constitution is signed by the President, it should test a good period of time before amending. But surprising, our governing board is yet to go five years and want to amend a constitution that was signed and celebrated not so long ago. Is the constitution against the ruling party and want to bend it towards them, as a favor in 2021?
Why don’t you read it first instead of waiting for opposition politicians to fill your head with rubbish???
You will lose again because it will fail.Mind you that money can be channelled to hospitals
The Problem in our Country Is having selfish leaders from both side of the coin.
whatever is beneficial to the govt leaders, they bet it must be implemented & powerful opposition will definitely reject anything even if it is meant for the good of the people.
There is too much of selfishness from both sides of the coin & most supporters on either sides are blindly supporting what their leaders are saying without analyzing the content & intentions of the people that they are following. Help us God!
Tembani ,ndeloleshe and angoni how do you trust PF which does not respect the Constitution they are talking?to reason with PF is share wast of time and money.whatever they propose to amend will target opposition that is the urgent of davils works.PF they have been insulting tongas no one was arrested but today kambwili is been arrested because he advised the Indian ati that is tribal .I don’t support criminals .
The Constitution is a living document, meaning it evolves as is required by the times. Problem is people don’t participate in the process when it’s in effect so those at the table look out for their own interests. Most citizenry is also not intellectually aware to participate effectively many have never even engaged their MPs before. In the USA Supreme Court nominations are the battle ground for politics because the life long appointments of judges means you can run a conservative or liberal leaning agenda for years. US Supreme Court Judgments amend constitution that end up becoming law. Thus the urgency to appoint S.C. Judges. Apathy by citizens in Zambia is historically what causes contentious constitutions. People think that by not participating they are fixing Government. Being in…
Opposition alliance? You mean vizende of course?
Just ignore vizende and proceed with the road map.
The only thing that trib.al Hacks will support is if constitution amndment states that “…there shall no elections in 2021; trib.al will be the next President of Zambia…”. Short of that you can have all manner of road map, sea map, air map, space map and just waste your time.
S
When they were fighting for the dialogue agenda, the trib.als talked about the POA etc, I don’t remember trib.als including constitution road map, suddenly they want it included in a process which is essentially dead. If the trib.als couldn’t agree on who leads the constitution, how can they ever agree on a more complex constitution? Debate would include where to put comma in trib.al language!
Trib.al Hacks is really laughable, he thinks that dialogue is so important that it will force President Lungu to join if they demand constitution to be included?
The problem with HH and the UPND on this mater is; All they want amended in the constitution and clauses changed are those that will favour them in regards to elections and appeals and the constitutional court petition procedures. Anything else in relation to what really can benefit an ordinary Zambian is not even on their table. The only 1 i agree with them which everyone sees wrong with including Hon Lubinda and Harry Kalaba is the Public Order Act.
When the Public Order Acts catches up with them in 2021 the cry babies will be crying Hagain as if the did not have a chance to removed it in the constitution. The opposition MPs should equally not participate in receiving allowances.
But, whose constitution is it – for the Employess, or for the Employers? Lubinda is displaying a lot of arrogance as if he owned this Country! Why not simply bend backwards to accomodate all Stakeholders, including the Opposition. We all pay Taxes! Some of those leaders in the Opposotion pay more Taxes to the Zambian Government than Lubinda does. So, why can’t they be heard. Let Lubinda exempt the Opposition from paying Tax, then probably they can stop speaking as Zambians! Lubinda is simply a Government worker who might be stranded, out of Employment. The Opposition are generally men and women who can fend for themselves, rather than surviving of on alms from the State cofers. If working for Government, the People, is too hot for Lubinda, he should simply jump out of the kitchen, as…
we can predict what the amends are.We know in a way you want to legalise all forms of hate especially against known people.I wish you knew how much zambians dislike your constitutional approach
Just like they call the media to cast faked attempts to eliminate one leader of the opposition, let them use the same media to say what is the matter in the constitution and how they want it to be. Mind you these are men and women who chose to come up with their own party because they believed that the other had little or nothing to satisfy them and could not change if talked to.
Careful bo Lubinda somethings are not worth rushing, this document you and your cadres call people driven but manipulated by you to further your stay in power will backfire on you. Speed kills besides even Zambians don’t care for it knowing that it’s not there to benefit them but lungu and his cohorts. This doesn’t in any way look like people driven, if Lubinda doesn’t listen to his fellow politicians how in the world will he listen to poor voters who they can bribe with a chicken