The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has rejected an invitation to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinize the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019.
The CCZ was supposed to appear before the committee on Monday, 2nd September 2019 at 14:00 hours.
In a statement made available to media, CCZ General Secretary Fr Emmanuel Chikoya says the council will not make any submission towards the Constitution of Zambia amendment bill as doing so will appear as though they are giving legitimacy to the proposed controversial Bill.
Fr Chikoya said that it has been the view of the CCZ from inception that the whole bill has too many unfair, ambiguous and undefined pieces that are not serving the interests of majority Zambians.
He said that the bill takes away the right of the people to chart their own destiny and instead it is promoting the notion that Zambia politicians feel the right to govern is the right to change the Constitution as it suits them.
Fr Chikoya says the CCZ therefore, suggests that the best course of action is to withdraw bill no.1o immediately and allow the country to continue with the current 2016 amendment of the Constitution.
He states that a good constitution must never be one that is imposed on the people by force, but rather the people themselves must be involved in the formulation and promulgation of their constitution.
He has stressed the importance of involving the people in the process of making changes to their Constitution, stating that a Constitution should reflect the people’s ideas, values, interests, and aspirations.
Fr Chikoya notes that unless a number of points of concern the CCZ has highlighted are considered, the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment bill 2019 into law will not be serving the interests of majority Zambians.
He adds that the Church has the obligation to ensure that a Country’s Constitution is clear and easy to understand.
Who cares and they should keep quiet and one can easily deduce that the CCZ mother body never consulted it’s affiliate church members… so whom do they represent apart from themselves… God will punish these church leaders for their lies mascarading as speaking on behalf of affiliate Churches…
When you stand on integrity from the onset, you are unlikely to compromise. Thank you council of churches This whole process is a sham. If you look at the characters that were present at the NDF, they were all compromised, low calibre, imoral, greedy people. The calibre of Ntewewe. Greedy for a quick buck
kekekekekekeke these PF are in trouble, even churches are kicking them between their legs.
Churches REJECTS invitation… kekekekeke that hurts !!
The iiddiioottss must be put to shame just as the British H of C has shamed the new PM. Serious MPs from PF should reject the nonsense, learn something from your colleagues in UK. Do not just tow the line even when all you are doing is leading the country in turmoil.
For those who are gloating that bill 10 will pass, I have this to say: Its better to stand on the side on what is right and just than to stand on the side of injustice, even if you lose. Winning means very little if it is done with injustice. You may enjoy the fleeting pleasure of wealth and power that you gain through unjust means, but you will never truly enjoy it. I have said it before and I say it again: We have seen many people in the past that stole, but they died poppers, without anyone to bury them. The had the burial of a donkey. Some stole and there past followed them so that they had no chance to enjoy the loot. Yet others have stolen and died very quickly. The wealth they stole will remain to be enjoyed by strangers. This is what will happen to a lot of people in PF who are…
It’s their right to refuse to submit. There should not be any hard feelings. But they don’t need to pull it down. Let the Bill no. 10 roll. If it is to fail, the parliament decide. It’s democracy and the RULE of LAW would have taken it course. If it succeeds, so be it.
I repeat, Zambia has never had an easy going on Constitutional amends and the prosess thereof. We have always move ahead whether jims likes it or jacks don’t. What the fuss about? We gotta roll.
@fwanya
You are such a backward mfxk stick it in your backward mind, one day the very whites you suppress will put you back in apartheid. You belong there
Well done! Now we wait to see Pentecostal terrorists parade themselves for allowances. They were the greatest beneficiaries of Chiluba’s slush fund. Do they still have that money? They’re hypocrites! Their next scheme is to demand that GRZ gives them 10% of its revenue in tithe, we know them. It’s clear that the PF under Edgar has gone into self-destruction mode. He has stopped listening to voices of reason. If he has any wisdom left, he shouldn’t allow the payment of mid term gratuity to MPs in the midst of such suffering. Most institutions have only been funded once this year, suppliers haven’t been paid, some council workers like Kapiri haven’t received any salary this year. Zambia is under siege. Some people now see the buffoon Kambwili as a saviour because PF has failed them
Iwe father Chikoya, did you consult your church members on this descsion . I am a member of CCZ and there has never been a discussion on the constitution at our church. So which people are you talking about?
@Ayatolla indeed you are right! Most of our Friends in the Pentecostal circles have proved to be a great disappointment when it comes to fighting for what is right. Money seems a lot more important to them than doing the right thing.
I want to appeal to Pentecostals, please stand up for what is right and stand against injustice. Reject your leaders who love to parade themselves before politicians to be used as stamps for injustice all for a quick buck.
Well said Fr Chikoya and well done CCZ. All ProgressIve Churches, Political Parties, NGOS, LAZ etc should shun the Political Select Committee appointed by a PF Cadre and Speaker of Parliament. In any case which are the MPs presiding over the Matibini Select Committee? Let the PF and it’s Cadres support their notorious Bill. This Bill has been rejected by the Majority of Zambians so it should be withdrawn.
Bwana Zulu, just like Ngoma has alluded to, even me am a member of CCZ. NO consultations on the constitution or indeed the constitution bill 10 at our church has taken place. So we need to be careful when we talk of representing people. The only way recommended in the constitution is by referendum.
The list is growing. ZCTU, TI, Judges, NGOCC, LAZ. Church mother body. Help me complete the number of credible institutions that has rejected bill 10
…. And none of those bodies have constitutional power to change any law in Zambia except parliament. Quick recap: PF-84 mps, 13 independents (PF non adopted members), president nominates 10 members, upnd-53 mps….
What is the UPND members doing on the committee that is receiving submissions the submissions? I have seen TEDDY and LUNGWANGWA on the committee.
What is LAZ? A body of lawyers of divergent views. As LAZ harmonised the views of ist members? NOOO!
The same with church mother bodies whose members are also members of PF , UPND NDC LAZ including MPs and the president.etc. Have the members been consulted??? NOOOOOO!! So whose fooling who?
Who cares?? Bill no. 10 will go through. Catholics, who represent 20% of the church going population, have absolutely NO LEGAL OR CONSTITUTIONAL backing to affect Zambia’s laws. They can only make noise in the media. In DRC the catholics tried to install Fayulu as president; who is president today???
No it wont. 2/3 majority of full house is needed for any constitutional amendment to pass.. which pf dont have and will not garner given the entrenchment of tribalism in ZM politics. There are things that no amount of money or bribes can defeat. the evil vices Hatred, tribalism, racism, xenophobia top that list.
@Digga… I can tell u that the 2/3 Majority to pass the bill is alraedy there. 10 UPND members are ready to support the bill and this is official. HH does not control his MPs any more. Watch the space!!!
2/3 of 160 member Parliament is 106. Already 96 or 97 elected mps are supporting the Bill. Then the 10 nominated mps….
we will show you then who will be president after 2021
Again the UPND strategy will flop as always. What they should have done was to mobilise as many organisation as they could to go and submit the oppossing views. A few organisations staying away will not help. After all when it comes to voting in parliament we know the UPND mps who will vote for the bill and it will definately pass.
I don’t understand when people are saying the majority of Zambians have rejected the bill. Which majority have rejected the bill when the majority were represented at the ndf. Father Chikoya is also talking from an individual point of view and we are told he didn’t consult the majority of his members. Even if another ndf was convined today you are not going to get all the people of Zambia. The 16 million people of Zambia will still be represented by a few individuals selected by different organisations. Let us be serious with national affairs and stop politicking guys.
This Chikoya is representing his own views and not of the CCZ members. Twamipapata ba father , do not create confusion.
What these organisation should do is to set committees to receive submissions from their members before they cheat us that they are representing the people. Which people!!@??
EVEN ME. I AM A MEMBER OF CCZ, BUT I WAS NOT CONSULTED. AND I DO’NT AGREE WITH FR CHIKOYA. THE CCZ MUST GO AND TELL THE COMMITTEE WHY THE BILL 10 IS WRONG. NOT TO COWER OUT. THE CCZ FEELS EMBARRASSED THAT THEY ARE NOT THE ONES LEADING THE PROCESS. PLEASE FR TELL US WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. AND IN A DEMOCRACY ITS GIVE AND TAKE. SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT AGREE WITH YOU WHILE OTHERS WILL. BUT IN THE END THE MAJORITY HAVE TO CARRY THE DAY.
HE IS STOOGE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
Has the council understood the content of the proposed Bill 10 of 2019?Infac It is just a proposed bill.it is a proposal so why is the church refusing?Infact the church should be on top of things.Alass to the church,wake up you sleeping giant and be on top on things,arise and shine,you are the salt of this world and if the salt loses its salt mmmmmmm very dangerous indeed.
King Saul was a good leader of the children of God and was so prosperous in subduing many nations that came to fight the blessed nation and consulted God for him to lead the children of God, when the spirit of the of the almighty God left him, king Saul went for witchfinders and destruction came upon a once powerful nation,many people lost their lives and the king also died in battle,remember brothers and sisters that we are safe in the hands of the almighty God.
Let us not forget to ask for wisdom from God especially when we are faced with challenging issues.God be with us especially now amidst so many challenges and trying moments.I thank you child of God.
The fact is, the Majority of Churches, NGOS, Legal Associations, LAZ etc are opposed to Bill No.10. PF and PF Cadres like Ntewewe,Davis Mwila, Twutwa Ngulube, PF aligned Political Parties, Friends for Lungu etc can submit Submissions to the PF Selective Committee but it won’t count. Besides PF doesn’t have a 2/3 Majority Vote in Parliament. Since the Vote is by Secret Ballot even some Progressive PF MPs might vote against this Notorious Bill. Given the unpopularity of Amendment Bill No.10 PF and Speaker Matibini should withdraw Bill 10 to avoid embarrassment thru a Secret Ballot.
Kikiki just go and submit your misgivings about bill # 10 and propose amendments instead of making noise on the ant hill,who will listen you. You are just cowards and demagogues
Mundia, voting in parliamentc is not an embarrassment, that is how parliament works some party win the other loses
Comment:majority of we Zambians are still demanding the pf, bill amendment no.10 of the constitution of 2019.to be quickly removed from parliament because its an illegal document suiting president Lungu & his sarogates of the pf dictators.The matter is in courts of law & the speaker of the national assembly who is a pf cader must hear our cries. Look at the United States of America they have got billionaires but did you see them meddling with their constitution? shame to pf leadership you can’t change a constitution like a school syllabus.The ECZ has given the meaningful stance the Church is representing the masses not the political minority members. the church has done nothing wrong ba pf Zambia is not belonging to you & you are not the most educated people to force us to agree even if…
MY DEAR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,
ELECTING YOU TO PARLIAMENT DOES NOT MEAN YOU REPRESENTING ME ON WRONG ISSUES. CONSTITUTION IS NOT FOR PARLIAMENT TO TINKER WITH ALONE BECAUSE EVEN PARLIAMENT IS A CREATURE OF THE CONSTITUTION. LET US STOP THE ARROGANCE OF ”ONLY PARLIAMENT HAS POWER TO MAKE LAWS”. YES PARLIAMENT HAS POWER TO MAKE JUST LAWS, OTHERWISE IT BECOMES AN IRRELEVANT INSTITUTION. BILL NO.10 MAY GO THROUGH NOW BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE BENT TO SEE IT PASSED INTO LAW FOR THEIR OWN SAKE NOT FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA MOST OF WHO FROM THE COMMENTS DO NOT APPRECIATE ITS CONSEQUENCES. ZAMBIANS SHOULD NOT HAND THE KEY TO THEIR FREEDOM TO AN ANGEL, NO MATTER HOW INNOCENT THAT ANGEL APPEARS TO THEM BECAUSE ONE DAY THE ANGEL MAY JUST DECIDE TO LOOK THE GATES OF FREEDOM…