Govt calls for an end to bill 7 controversy

Government has urged the nation to de-escalate the heated debate surrounding the National Assembly Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, following a series of court rulings dismissing petitions filed by opposition members and allied civil society groups.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said recent court decisions have clarified that there is no legal impediment to the continued progression of Bill No. 7 in Parliament.

Mr Mweetwa who is also Minister of Information and Media said Government expressed concern over what it described as an emerging trend in which some opposition figures and sections of the public are “abusing the courts of law” in attempts to halt the parliamentary processes surrounding the Bill.

Mr Mweetwa said these remarks following yesterday’s dismissal of a case filed by Member of Parliament for Mporokoso Constituency, Brian Mundubile and Celestine Mukandila, who sought contempt proceedings against the Speaker of the National Assembly, the entire Presiding Officers’ Bench, and all parliamentary staff for proceeding with activities related to the Bill.

Mr Mweetwa described the attempt to summon Parliament’s leadership to court as “extremely concerning,” noting that the case was dismissed even before full commencement due to lack of merit.

He also condemned efforts to drag the Republican President into the same proceedings, emphasizing that Article 98 of the Constitution insulates the Presidency from legal proceedings of that nature.

“It did not require the courts to lecture them, the opposition, many of whom are lawyers, should have known that the Head of State cannot be joined to such matters under the law,” he added.

Mr Mweetwa noted that the opposition and their allies appear to be using the courts as a platform to challenge or alter constitutional provisions, an approach the government insists is inappropriate and legally unsustainable.

He further said the sequence of rulings should now allow the country to continue with a calm, informed and legally grounded approach to constitutional reform.

The Minister also explained that Zambian laws do not apply retroactively and therefore the court’s guidance on wider consultations cannot be interpreted to invalidate actions that were already underway.

He stressed that the government had, in fact, voluntarily deferred Bill No. 7 earlier to allow for broader consultations, including the establishment of a technical committee and multiple dialogue engagements.

Mr Mweetwa further assured citizens that the National Assembly is on firm legal ground to continue processing Bill No. 7 and will not be going back.

He also referenced the case involving the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), NGOCC, Oasis Forum and others, in an attempt to secure a conservatory order to stop Parliament from hearing Bill 7, on grounds of the technical committee’s involvement which was dismissed by the courts.

He further urged the opposition and the Oasis Forum to consider the broader national interest, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 general elections.

He explained that the Bill aims to address critical areas of uncertainty in the current constitution, including potential disputes under Article 103 relating to presidential electoral petitions and re-nominations under Article 52(6).

Mr Mweetwa reiterated that Bill 7 seeks to promote greater inclusion by increasing representation of women, youth and persons with disabilities in the National Assembly.

He further urged all stakeholders to allow the parliamentary process to continue without disruption, emphasising that national unity and constitutional stability must take precedence.

“We urge the opposition and the Oasis Forum to submit before the Select Committee rather than spend time planning the next court action,” he said

“This is the appropriate platform for addressing issues of consultation. That way, we can move forward together as a nation,” he noted.

Mr Mweetwa further appealed to the media to concentrate on educating the public about the economic achievements rather than amplifying attempts to halt Bill 7.