Opposition MPs Accused of Accepting Payments to Support Bill 7
Dr. Shishuwa Shishuwa, a historian, writer, and academic with extensive credentials in African studies and political history, has raised concerns that several opposition Members of Parliament have privately committed to support Bill 7 in exchange for financial benefits or relief from possible legal action. His remarks came during a broadcast interview focused on the ongoing constitutional debate and the conduct of the executive.
According to Dr. Shishuwa, the executive has intensified efforts to secure the parliamentary votes required for Bill 7. He referred to the earlier Constitutional Court decision which found the previous process leading to the bill unconstitutional. The ruling, in his view, required two things: a public-driven process and the use of an independent expert body. Current steps, he said, do not reflect those conditions.
The committee appointed to review the constitutional matter was described by him as lacking independence, with its composition conflicting with the expectations set by the court. The continued presence of the bill in Parliament, despite the earlier judgment, was presented as evidence of a process that has not been realigned with the ruling. This, Dr. Shishuwa stated, created a strong push within the executive to gather additional support from MPs.
Financial incentives were at the centre of his allegations. Dr. Shishuwa reported that some MPs were approached and offered three million kwacha each to support Bill 7. The arrangement, according to accounts he received confidentially, involved an initial payment of one point five million kwacha before the vote and the balance after the vote. The information, he said, was provided by individuals with direct knowledge of the discussions.
Other MPs, he stated, were approached using unresolved legal matters. Files involving corruption-related issues and other serious offences were reportedly presented to certain legislators as leverage. In those situations, support for Bill 7 was described as a condition that could prevent prosecution. Dr. Shishuwa said several MPs agreed to back the bill after such engagements.
To improve public transparency, he recommended that the Oasis Forum request MPs to sign a clear commitment declaring that they would not support Bill 7. Legislators who decline to sign, he noted, would reveal their position through their refusal. Such a measure, in his view, would help citizens identify MPs willing to uphold constitutional responsibilities without external influence.
The internal landscape of the Patriotic Front was also highlighted. Dr. Shishuwa pointed to a fragmented structure consisting of factions linked to Given Lubinda, Brian Mundubile, Chabinga, and Makebi Zulu. These divisions, he said, have made the party vulnerable to external pressure and weakened its ability to take unified positions on national matters.
Two of the factions were described as having backing from state actors, a development he said increases internal strain and complicates the party’s capacity to respond to the constitutional issue. Such conditions, according to him, make targeted engagement with individual MPs easier for those seeking support for Bill 7.
The allegations, Dr. Shishuwa noted, reflect a broader concern about the vulnerability of MPs facing financial difficulties or unresolved legal issues. Citizens, he said, expect their representatives to act responsibly, and decisions made under private arrangements weaken public trust.
He urged the Oasis Forum to continue with its planned peaceful demonstration intended to deliver a petition on Bill 7 to the president. Postponing the event, he said, would support efforts to push the bill before the parliamentary recess. A peaceful march and formal delivery of concerns, he added, would give the public a clear opportunity to be heard.
Dr. Shishuwa encouraged citizens to follow the conduct of their representatives closely, noting that public attention remains essential as developments around Bill 7 continue.
But what evidence has this guy got to justify his accusations? This is serious, I don’t want this bill either but such wanton and wild accusations not backed by proof are utter bankum.
@Njangwamuloty, you are so correct.
This guy says this sort of thing and doesn’t provide a shred of evidence to back it up.
YET, this newspaper publishes it.
LT is doing its readers a disservice and needs to up their standards.
He will provide the evidence where he is supposed to provide it to, not to you here He is a man of sound mind, that is why he is a senior lecturer in SA, so he can’t just wake up and accuse somebody. he is a sharp mind meaning he even knows the consequences of fake accusations. Let the law enforcement agencies talk to him nicely and pick it up. Not what you are doing asking for evidence here
When one is appealing to people to he claim is not enough without evidence. It is like accusing former first lady, Esther Lungu, as a thief without pointing at the $400,000 she gave her niece for safekeeping or other suspicious deals
With the moral decay in our politics, this is not even surprising
Shishuwa has an ear to the ground. I’m sure we are yet to hear the end of this story…
Mr Sishuwa please show us proof of payment such as bank transfer, receipts, or illicit money . You are are just imagining things.
This man is too theoretical