Movement for National Restoration (MNR) founder and constitutional lawyer John Sangwa has delivered one of his most scathing assessments yet of the country’s direction, declaring that Zambia has slid into economic and governance crisis under the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration.
Appearing on Diamond TV on Sunday night, Sangwa said Zambians should not be deceived by official statistics portraying improvement when daily reality shows the opposite. He described the nation as “in the toilet,” arguing that ordinary citizens are worse off today than at any point since independence in 1964.
“This country is in trouble,” he said. “Forget about all these statistics that these guys are peddling. The truth of the matter is that we are worse off than we were in 1964.”
Sangwa accused the current leadership of self-interest and neglect of public welfare, saying the state has become a vehicle for private business and enrichment by a few individuals. He said Zambia’s economy had been run down by policies that fail to prioritise production and job creation.
The former lecturer at the University of Zambia highlighted that the country’s population is growing at nearly four per cent annually while economic growth hovers below six per cent, a gap he warned is unsustainable for reducing poverty. He added that external debt exceeding US $15 billion has forced the government to spend more on debt servicing than on education and health combined.
“Right now, if you check the budget, we are spending more on debt than we spend on education and health together,” he said.
Sangwa said the economic situation is so severe that the nation requires a complete reconstruction of its systems and priorities. He urged Zambians to confront the truth about their circumstances and demand better leadership focused on production, equity and public service.
Turning to the ongoing constitutional amendment process, Sangwa called it a “scam.” He criticised the UPND for setting time limits for the Constitutional Technical Committee’s work, arguing that no previous administration had ever rushed such a national exercise. According to him, a Constitution is a national document that must be built on a broad foundation of consultation and trust.
“No responsible government will initiate a constitutional process in this manner,” he said. “It is for the commission to decide its own timetable after consulting citizens. Who decided those terms of reference? How many Zambians were consulted in arriving at them?”
Sangwa warned that dictating the committee’s schedule and outcomes undermines its independence and risks producing a partisan document. He said the Constitution must reflect the collective will of citizens, not the agenda of any party.
He reminded viewers that earlier constitutional commissions – including the Chona, Mvunga and Mwanakatwe Commissions – were given freedom to operate without political deadlines. He added that rushing the process now betrays claims of democratic reform and weakens public confidence.
“If they believe they have achieved their agenda, why rush through constitutional changes?” he asked. “Who in Zambia asked for these amendments?”
Sangwa argued that the UPND’s approach contradicts its campaign promise of transparent governance. He said constitutional reform should emerge from a national consensus, not an executive directive with pre-determined outcomes.
The constitutional lawyer also reiterated that economic and governance problems are linked. Without independent institutions and genuine public participation, he said, any policy to revive the economy will lack credibility.
Sangwa’s remarks have sparked fresh debate among governance watchers and political commentators, coming as the Technical Committee continues its controversial consultation on Bill 7 of 2025. He concluded by urging Zambians to stay vigilant and defend constitutional values that protect their sovereignty.
Source: The Mast | Front Page & Page 3 | October 28 2025
That is so true as we had just taken over a thriving economy but that euphoria didnt last too long as kk started putting his archaic plans into place which in a way hasnt improved considering 60 years has lapsed and promises abound
This country was on track until the privatisation program killed companies in the 90s. Go to the once vibrant industrial area of Ndola which once had companies like Rop, Reckitt and Coleman, Vitafoam, colgate palmolive, Dunlop and over 60 other companies and go and see the damage. And to worsen things now, you have people who think the mines being in foreign hands can develop this country. Where in the world do things like CDF ever develop a country. Industrialise or perish – Simple
The over generous incentives being given to the mines must now be given as incentives to lure people into manufacturing so that we can develop our industrial base.
We need a referundum,we were better off with British rule,,,see Canada,Australia and New Zealand,they are still under British rule and are by far better of than us.
Let us use next year’s ballot as a referendum some how
Give HH a massive YES vote
And strangely, you have learned people celebrating that the country’s GDP will grow at 6%, do these people know that growth of 6% from where we are is totally insignificant for our country. Even saying during PF, we were growing in negative. We were growing in negative but the cost of living was not as high as now. And anyway GDP or whatever economic pronouncements must be felt in the pockets and not the usual propaganda we have become used to now
A widely impactful GDP growth takes about 20 to 30yrs of consistency to be felt .You and John Sangwa are actually exposing your ignorance/naivety .
“The world cannot be understood without numbers.
But the world cannot be understood with numbers alone.”
Rosling, Rosling, & Rönnlund, 2018
Of course we are worse off since 2021. We were better off before. I don’t think you can make a good President Sir, that is my opinion which could be wrong, but you are very right that we are worse off. My other contention is that you lack experience, and i dont think most Zambians would like to go that route, looking at the current disaster
Sangwa is undoubtedly the best option this country has at the moment.
1. He has integrity that cannot be questioned.
2. He has consistently defended the constitution and the rule of law.
3. He has very legitimate businesses and legal firm. No sane person can question the source of his wealth. We have all seen him work hard to gain his standing. Unlike some other people whose money no one knows how they got it.
If Zambians love their country, here is an opportunity to save it. Take it!
Sorry Sir, we are looking for a leader. Thanks
Integrity, defending the constitution, running business is what any body can do. But here we are looking for a transformative leader. Zambia is at cross roads. Almost everything has collapsed, what is remaining is just propaganda and people being forced to say kwenyu. Remember popular phrases or words are coined by the people and not politicians. As an example, Cha cha cha came from the people during the struggle.
Thanks for saying he has consistently defended the constitution. But why do you want to change that narrative by giving him powers to start abusing the constitution? The presidency position in our country is so tempting that each one wants to change the constitution to suite their needs. Until you give us another Sangwa as substitute, this one is not going anywhere. Give us another option otherwise HH will remain.
” Zambians should not be deceived by official statistics portraying improvement when daily reality shows the opposite.”
So according to John Sangwa’s misguided view “Rome was built in 3yrs only” . Actually let’s ask Singapore and China how long its taken them to be where they are today.
It should not take us the time it took China and Singapore to reach where they are. Simply because there are some steps which we should skip or cruise through, through learning from them. I just dont buy this story that it should take us donkey years to reach where others have reached, infact we have resources which China and Singapore dont even have. Anyway the failure from UPND is lamentable
Don’t even say Rome was not built in a day. Who forced you to say sworn in at 10hrs and kwacha to a dollar picks at 14hrs same day. Does it mean at this time, you had no clue that Rome was not built in a day. Without duress and voluntarily, you said it would take you 18months to sort out the power issues. And now when you have completely run out of ideas, you start saying nefishilingile that hunger is biblical. Just resign
“The world cannot be understood without numbers.
But the world cannot be understood with numbers alone.”
Rosling, Rosling, & Rönnlund, 2018
Mr Sangwa SC, leadership te Sangwapo Contest!! Press reboot on your oblongata!
Mr Sangwa ,
Of course the minority will not enjoy the resources of the country like in 1964, and………
Those resources are now spread widely across the country, so maybe people like you will see a difference
FWD2041
(Spread widely across the country ???) only according to you maybe
Someone mentioned 20 to 30 years to show consistency ? whilst that maybe true to some extent
we now 61 years down the line and still on the detour
Absolutely clueless.
We know that the shift of power from the northern/eastern of regions to the Southern/western regions has completely unsettled the tribalism.
Hiding behind load shedding, high cost of living etc wont help you.
You promised, so stop writing in proverbs now. Do i need to remind you where your colleagues the PF left the cost of bread and the cost now. Your best option for now is to resign on your own, that provision is there in the constitution, than putting up tuma feeble and frail arguments here
So, what are the solutions to Zambia’s socioeconomic ills?
Yes it’s easy to complain and point out what you think is bad right now (forgetting 1990 food riots and criminality of owning dollars). But where is the roadmap to improvement? What are the policies you will be voted on in 2026? Nobody will vote for madandaulo
What does this arrogant self-opinionated buffoon has to offer the Zambian people.
In all his ramblings there is not one concrete policy.
All he does is make silly accusations and unsubstantiated allegations.
He says: “We are worse off than 1964,” Yet he provide no real facts to substantiate that ridiculous claim.
This self-proclaim intellectual is so ignorant, the statistics is popoing as from the government are in from internationally recognise bodies, who recognises the strides Zambia has made since 2021.
There again what we have to understand is that someone who tell untruths will say anything to elevate themselves.
We are worse off now than in UNIP, than in MMD, than in PF, infact we are completely off tangent unless you are deliberately and unnecessarily wearing the wrong lenses. With independent and objective lenses, we are way way worse off. Start working, you dont have time. Leave your luxury places, go and see the way people are struggling in compounds and go read our declaration that we are a Christian nation and we need to be truthful
There is something seriously wrong with African’s intellectually and John Sangwa is one of those.
They have a great propensity to be jealous, arrogant, full of hatred, tribal and narcissistic.
John Sangwa has all of those characteristics and that’s the reason(s), why he opposes the current president, not that he is capable of doing any better for the Zambian people but will oppose just because he feels he is not getting the attention he use to get when PF was in office. In other words he is self-seeking.
These are just excuses, just attack the man who has failed instead of attacking somebody aspiring to come and sort out things. I hope he won’t be a flop like UPND. The highest cost of living since independence – no contest here, factual statement
These pretentious vagabonds will say anything to get to the loot. All they want is to get into government to enrich themselves and their families. The current President is the only one who has opted not to receive all the monies that are due to him. All he has ever wanted is to serve. Needless to say, he will be missed once he decides to move aside. We have enough vultures-in-waiting.
This propaganda won’t work. Have you cut out the middle men, is fuel K12 now, have you sorted out the loadshedding which you said was a lidaship problem. As professor Lumumba rightly says, Africa is a strange place, “you have a leader who is clearly failing but you have some people still clap for him”. 4 years is enough time to see some direction, you are declared the 6th poorest nation in the world and you are proud that all is well. Remember your statistics even started telling you before the drought that you are failing.
There is nothing like wanting to get into government here, you have been declared the 6th poorest in the world during your reign and even before your lame drought excuse. Have you cut the middle men, is fuel K12 now
So what is wrong with wanting to get into government. Just sort out the economic mess you have created. Much as I dont support PF, but the reality is that PF gave us a better economy than yours. I thought you promised to do better.
@Anti Excuse Unit, which Zambia were you in before 2021.
My good man unlike now Zambia was a basket case and the economic laughingstock of the entire world.
You really need to stop deluding yourself.
That’s the unadulterated truth @Foreigner.These uneducated folks judge the economy only on salaula,tujilijili and nshima.