Parliament Faces Legal Rebuke Over Bill 7 Amid Judicial Contempt Claims

Parliament Faces Legal Rebuke Over Bill 7 Amid Judicial Contempt Claims

LUSAKA — Former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has accused Parliament of acting in contempt of the Constitutional Court by advancing Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 despite a prior ruling that invalidated an earlier version of the measure. His intervention sharpens scrutiny of the legislative process and raises fundamental questions about the separation of powers in Zambia.

Kalaba contends that lawmakers have resumed work on the bill without first resolving the constitutional deficiencies identified by the court. He stressed that the tribunal’s judgment was binding, not advisory, and legally terminated the previous legislative effort. According to Kalaba, any new attempt to amend the constitution must begin afresh, with full compliance to the court’s reasoning.

“The continuation of this process places Parliament in direct conflict with the judiciary,” Kalaba said. “It signals that court rulings can be ignored when politically inconvenient.”

His remarks echo concerns expressed by legal experts, civil society organisations, and opposition figures. Several groups have called on Parliament to suspend consideration of the bill until it demonstrates how it has addressed the court’s objections. Some have demanded the full text of the ruling be read on the floor of the House to ensure transparency.

Public confusion has grown as senior officials offer conflicting interpretations of the court’s decision. Kalaba warned that inconsistent respect for judicial authority undermines long term stability. He noted that citizens increasingly view Bill 7 not as a technical amendment but as a test of institutional integrity.

Civil society coalitions have intensified pressure on lawmakers to clarify their legal basis for proceeding. Kalaba argued that the issue transcends partisan politics. “This is about whether all state institutions, including Parliament, will operate within constitutional boundaries,” he said.

Government spokespeople have dismissed critics as obstructionists, accusing them of misrepresenting the bill’s intent. Kalaba rejected that framing. He said the core dispute lies in whether Parliament acknowledges the supremacy of judicial review in constitutional matters.

He urged legislators to halt the bill immediately and initiate a genuine compliance process. “Once contempt for court orders becomes normalised, restoring institutional trust becomes exceedingly difficult,” Kalaba warned.

His statement arrives amid heightened public engagement on constitutional issues. Community forums, religious gatherings, and radio call-in shows reflect widespread concern over perceived disregard for the rule of law. Observers say the controversy surrounding Bill 7 now serves as a litmus test for Zambia’s commitment to checks and balances.

Kalaba called on leaders across party lines to prioritise constitutional fidelity over short term political objectives. He warned that failure to do so could entrench a culture where legal constraints are treated as optional.