Justice Minister Given Lubinda has described as misleading media reports suggesting that the consideration of the Constitutional Amendment Bill number 10 by Parliament has been curtailed by a court process in which former Cabinet Minister in the MMD Government, Dipak Patel, is challenging the legality of Government procuring public debt in contravention of the constitution.
In the petition Mr. Patel is demanding an order compelling the Minister of Finance and Attorney General to present to the National Assembly a complete statement of the state of public debt contracted from 2016 to date including the terms and conditions of the loans; within 14 days or such other time frame that the court may prescribe.
Mr. Lubinda said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the adjournment of the Second Reading of the Bill was as a result of an announcement by Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya that Zambia had recorded two confirmed cases of Coronavirus.
Speaking at a joint press briefing Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya, Government Parliamentary Chief Whip Brian Mundubile and Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Lubinda said the consideration of the second reading of Bill 10 will still be on the Order Paper on the first day of resumption of sittings.
The explained that there are special circumstances under which proceedings of parliament maybe stopped adding that when the House resumes sittings, people will know if the court action by Mr. Patel is one of those special circumstances.
“No one must have any imaginations that consideration of Bill 10 has been removed from parliament because it has not,” Mr. Lubinda said.
The Minister explained that the process of Bill number 10 cannot be stopped by anyone except Parliament itself.
The Minister appealed to all Zambian citizens to understand that Bill No. 10 is well-intended and not was being peddled by those opposed to it.
And Government Parliamentary Chief Whip Brian Mundubile explained that Parliament operates under the principle of Exclusive Cognisance which implies that the proceedings of Parliament cannot be interfered with by anyone or any institution except Parliament itself.
Mr. Mundubile explained that given the importance of the risk of the Coronavirus, Republican Vice President Inonge Wina sought permission from the Speaker Justice Patrick Matibini to move a motion of adjournment.
He said this was in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 33 (1).
Mr. Mundubile noted that Parliamentarians have one solemn duty to represent the people that they serve.
He said it was unfortunate that some Members of Parliament had chosen to distance themselves from the people by walking out of parliament when the Bill was presented for Second Reading.
Mr. Mundubile explained that prior presentation of the Bill on the floor of the House, Members of Parliament were encouraged to interact with their people and educate them on the importance of Constitutional Amendment Bill number 10 and collect their views and aspirations and present them to Parliament a matter some refused to heed.
He said his office had received petitions from the differently-abled people, trade unions, women groups and students to have the Bill go through.
He said this was an indication of how much people have understood the provisions in the Bill.
Mr. Mundubile assured Zambians that a new constitution which speaks to their aspirations would soon be given to them.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya has urged the media to ensure that they churn-out factual information unlike publishing fake and misleading headlines on the Constitutional Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019.
Ms. Siliya said the public relies on the media to interpret issues hence the need for the media to be above board.
Quoting from Warren Buffet, Ms. Siliya said if personnel in the media were some of the most educated society would be better.
She said this is important because the media have a critical role to interpret a lot of information for the people.
She cited Coronavirus and the Constitutional Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 as some of the issues the Zambian media were expected to interpret for the benefit of members of the general public.
Ms. Siliya said this should, however, be backed with and premised on verified information adding that this is what is expected from a descent media house.
Tombarnoco.
That court injunction by kalya ka mwenye is just a delay, it’s a upnd tactic that hasn’t worked since anyone can remember. Upnd think they are so smart they can get political power or anything through courts. Bailasha, Bill 10 ni forward!!
He said his office had received petitions from the differently-abled people, trade unions, women groups and students to have the Bill go through.
He said this was an indication of how much people have understood the provisions in the Bill.
TRADE UNIONS PETITION ON RETIRED WORKERS REMAINING ON PAYROLL TILL THEY GET THEIR PENSION MONEY IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY CLAUSES IN BILL 10, YOUTHS,WOMEN AND THE DISABLED PUSHING FOR MIXED MEMBER REPRESENTATION IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY CLAUSES IN BILL 10,WHY ARE OTHER CLAUSES NOT BEEN GIVEN THE SAME PUBLIST? WHY NOT PREACH THE BILL 10 IN ITS ENTIRETY?
I will report all people in government who are advocating for Bill 10 to Seer 1. Then they will behave like a chicken in a deep freezer.
Lungus obsertion with Bill 10 is frightening and suspicious.
Who would trust anything from some one who sees no problem in spending $42 million tax payers money on fire trucks that should cost under $20 million ?
Zambians need Deliverance against this “STATUTORY RAPE” but we don’t see Deliverance coming! Zambia’s biggest enemy are it’s citizens!
Sorry Zambians, your Institutions of governance are compromised!
Bill 10 will be “Forced Through” but be ready for the Consequences! Are you ready to suffer? Judge for yourselves! As for UPND, you have tried.
Don’t walk out anymore. Let the vote go through quickly. We want to know those who are with us and those who are against our people. Let our people have a real taste of their own Bill10 medicine. “Mwana akalila Bonzo, mupaseni.” When people are used to being cheated, dictatorship, suffering and hardships, it’s very difficult to change their mindsets! Our people can have the “Rat Poison” they want. Whether you agree or not, Zambia will…
Please learn to tell the public the truth. Are u sure Bill 10 adjournment was due to Covid 19 Why did u not finish the whole process of second reading or debate than waiting for the house to resume.in fact we don’t even know when Covid 19 situation will come to know. But God is by our side protecting us.
The Ministers of health passed an announcement on closure of Universities, colleges, schools and all learning institutions on Thursday meaning Wednesday, Thursday and Friday [3days] for admistrations to finalize for quitting everything on Friday. Therefore my question is why did parliament not sat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to deal with Bill 10 debate.
Moreover parliament has less than 170 Mps compared to learning institutions with
either more than 500,600,700,800 or 1000…
Instead of repealing the Public Order Act (POA) and Reforming the Electoral Act as was agreed in Siavonga, PF took a divergence to sneak in clauses that have nothing to do with the two main issues raised. How is the reintroduction of Deputy Ministers related to the two issues? This is how dishonest PF is! The “Don’t Kubeba” Gene has been turned against the citizens. How sad that citizens who have not read Bill 10 are blindly supporting what will soon bite them!
Bill 10 pamaka. It’s going through. When kz says so know it is going through
Iwe ka Lubinda your arrogance will chew you live and I pray that none of you PF mps contract covid-19 because Zambia cannot afford mass bye-elections. No one will pass that bill 10 I tell you Lubinda. You will soon regret being used by thieves.
I have just read the article or rather fake news posted by Zambia watchdog alleging that I beat up some pf provincial official at Chicago’s last night and that I threatened to shoot him. That is funny when I was at home with my family at the same time. Anyway I am sure I have many imaginary clones. I was not drinking last night. If anything I am drinking today in kafue. So if you seem me approach me and I will get you a free drink. Btw Lubinda is best minister of justice in world
Kz
Director of higher intelligence in OP
“Members of Parliament were encouraged to interact with their people and educate them on the importance of Constitutional Amendment Bill number 10 and collect their views and aspirations and present them to Parliament.”
Mr. Mundubile, the MPs should have been encouraged to interact and EXPLAIN bill 10 to their constituents, then collect their views etc. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT TO THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES TO DECIDE WHETHER THE BILL WAS IMPORTANT OR NOT.
I do not trust that fellow Ngulube the guy who had been trying too hard to play the smart ass over bill 10. One of the most preposterous reasons he has advanced is that it will help UPND come to power, really? Since when did PF care about UPND. Worse more Ngulube is really shameless and cruel. His demand that Sangwa SC should be literally disbarred and stripped of his practicing license is to put it mildly very sh17tty. So for me anyone who supports bill 10 as Ngulube is a person I would not trust with my life, NEVER! #KILL BILL 10
@ Kaizar Zulu
Lubinda best Justice Minister in the world?
I do not what are you drinking/smoking, but it must be great stuff.Just read N.A.B. No. 3 of 2020 and correct your opinion on the most INCOMPETENT minister in the world.
Kaizer Zulu beats up another person
Kaiser Zulu in another fight scandal
Stare House aide for operations Kaizer Zulu Friday evening beat up Patriotic Front (PF) member of the Central Committee and Central province Chairperson Mwila Mutale during a drink up at Lusaka’s Chicago’s pub.
Eyewitnesses narrated that Kaizer was only restrained from shooting the Central province Chairperson by a PF cadre, Clever Zulu who is planted at the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).
Zulu accused the Central province Chair of having insulted him and President Lungu.
Kaiser Lungu was recently reassigned from being Chief political advisor to Special Advisor Operations.
KZ, as he is known in the PF circles is believed to possess Presidential powers as he does as he pleases.
“KZ even boasts that he…
A,FEW DAYS AGO I HAD WARNED KZ ABOUT HIS MISCHIEVOUS BEHAVIOUR. BOSS, U WILL RAN AWAY FROM YOUR OWN SHADOW SOON. AND EVERYONE IS JUST WAITING FOR THAT DAY. THE WHOLE WORLD U WILL FEEL LIKE IT HATES U BUT IT IS YOUR OWN ACTIONS. BYE. CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. OUT OF A MILLION ZAMBIANS WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT YOU? DON’T LIE. U WERE ALMOST KILLED IN MUMBWA WHEN U WANTED TO GO AND GASS PEOPLE LUCKILY THE ZAF MUMBWA BASE RESCUED U. DON’T THINK PEOPLE ARE DORMANT AND U ARE ABOVE THEM. THIS IS A WORLD OF INFORMATION. JUST ON FINGER TIPS. U.WILL DANCE ALL OF JKS SONGS ON ONE VERSION WHEN YOUR ACTIONS CATCHES UP WITH U.