By Kasabo S. Kalussa.
His death came three days after his 68th birthday and already, rumours were rife that the eccentric Nigerian Prophet TB Joshua had foretold the event.
Away from the apocalyptic part of it, John Atta Mills is President number two to have died whilst in office this year in Africa and the continent is watching closely.
In Zambia, his demise has just re-ignited an age old debate that pits conspiracy against facts and reality against myth.
Ghana is among the few four continental nations that have an interesting clause in their respective constitutions that triggers automatic ascendancy to the Presidency and 6 six hours after President Mills’ passing, there was already a new man in charge of Africa’s biggest cocoa exporter.
It was a swift and fast take over, even before the Presidents corpse could go cold, the political machine had already churned out a new player on the scene; John Mahama.It is imperative that lessons ought to be learned from the recent experiences in Malawi and Ghana as Zambia adopts a new constitution.
According to article 108 (c) of the first installment of the draft constitution, the Vice President may assume the office of the President in the event of a vacancy owing to an incapacitation.
Zambia like the West African state of Ghana has had its own unkind experience of a sitting President being unable to complete his term of office due to a sudden and unexpected death.And so the need for a running mate many would say.
When President Mwanawasa left the country for a summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm-El-Sheikh, no one knew it was going to be the last time everyone saw of him in 2008.
He later died in a French military hospital and close to over ZMK 19 billion was spent parading his body nationwide in what was termed a farewell journey for the dead President.
What followed was a relentless jostle for the keys to State House and as per requirements; Zambia would replace Mwanawasa in a space of 90 days.
It was an expensive and arduous exercise, state resources were channeled to another election barely 2yrs after going to the polls.
Proponents point out that in that desperate hour, some people who were vying for the job made some wrong decisions and almost mutilated national coffers in a bid to win the vote.The country even saw “image builders” to repair some of our politician’s images that lay in ruins.
That 2008 experience for Zambia will never be forgotten!
Today, as the country attempts to have new governing document, the episode has come to the fore vividly.
Advocates for a similar clause as in Malawi and Ghana argue that having a running mate will greatly lift the strain on the national treasury in the sudden incapacitation of a sitting President.Further, they advance the aspect of a grand reduction in the powers vested in the Head of State if the office were to be deputized by an elected Vice-President.
In this regard, a Vice-President who does not feast from the same table as the Head of State may ultimately take up the role of a good watchdog in decision making.
It may further grant the office bearer constitutional protection from being sacked in the face of personal whims and caprices from the head of state.
Ghana’s smooth transition is a classic example for those in this camp. The postulation of such reflects the state being an institution characterized and defined by rules and procedure.
Against this background, the demise of the President may not translate into an all out halt in the operations of the state as the law expects there to be a President 24/7.There is no mourning in the constitution, thus a new President is installed without undue delay!
Nevertheless given the two facets to this deeply divisive and contentious clause, those against such an arrangement are adamant it would be a recipe for chaos if it goes through.The Running mate in the Zambian perspective, they claim, is all together unnecessary and undesirable and it leaves a trail of questions more than answers.
- It may potentially open a bad can of worms that will be politically too difficult to contain.
- Among the foremost notion advanced in this regard is the abrasive nature of the Zambian political landscape.
- What the running mate will seek to do is to bring in personal interests first before serving the people.
- In this regard, an elected Vice President may be tempted to spend unnecessary efforts trying to discredit the superior knowing that in the event the President is ousted, he will be next in line for the top job.
- The scenarios may be different; it could be the sudden development of major rift or there could be a political bone to chew between the two office bearers.
- Antagonists in the debate further claim the clause weakens the office of the President. The Vice President will tend to be too autonomous and insulate his office from the influences of the President.
- It is a dangerous prospect as it may create the undesirable outcome of springing up two centers of power in the government.
- An advancing democracy is not defined by a running mate and a Vice-President simply takes up an advisory role to the President and acts as a ”chola boy” according to some.
- Interestingly, there are even those with superstitious inklings on the matter.They feel the clause will give impetus for public officials to make use of the black arts of witchcraft and wizardry to try and eliminate opponents in a bid to ascend to the Presidency.
It is a bizarre take on things as such practices are non-existent in the minds of some. Indeed some of the political deaths in Africa are next to suspicious!
The debate will rage on as the country does and immense soul searching on what the future holds on the subject.It is a question that needs towels over our heads and collective thinking as we ponder whether or not we need a running mate.
Our beloved President, Greatly missed.
we need the running mate clause to be included in the new constitution without fail!
EACH DAY THAT PASS THE MORE I MISS LEVY MWANAWASA,AN HONEST PRESIDENT WHO BELIVED IN THE RULE OF LAW AS A MINIMUM BENCH MARK FOR A JUST SOCIATY.LEADERS LIKE YOU NEVER CAME TWICE IN A GENARATION THE NEW DEAL GOVERMENT WAS UNIQUE .TEAS MAY DREY BUT MEMORIES ARE STILL FRESH UNTILL WE MEET AGAIN REST IN PEACE BASHI (CHIPO,LUBONA)
Our beloved and listening president levy we will miss you where ever you are but I blame u a bit your excellence this guy you exported to morning side clinic in south africa to have his heart changed . Awe mwandi AMA south Africans tabomfwa balimuki umutima wakanyelele,he has divided the nation favouring one tribe, opposition and innocent citizens are being harassed everyday and deported for no reason.Boss nkashi nga mwalimushile fye iyifwila ku UTH like the way he did kuli Ba George Kunda, Elo he does want to have a running mate to succeede him if per adventure or by any lacky he decides you to come where you are. Bushe boss mula monanaNa ka Chiluba? If saw tell twachula kuno, Ba Mazoka mubaposhe ko mubebe ati HH acili aledonsa filya fine ubwafya fye Ba gayi pa plot 1 balefilufyanya .
@octopus paul Bwalya u are mad and crazy that’s good satire u have cracked my libs ….ati baguy pa plot 1 balefilufyanya kikikikik
@ pipi thanks . I think Ba guy should just come and get him also mwe, olo aba konke cabe kwamene banayeenda abena Chiluba, Mazoka , George Kunda , paul tembo , nkumbula etc
We are in unawkwad situation. God, may your will be happen 2 our beloved country.
Running mate dangerous recipe to democracy.i say no no not in zambia one pilot one captain.
you are the one who is dangerous becoz you are of the old thinkers
Assuming Nevers Mumba had been a running mate to the late Levy Mwanawasa and the situation became very clear that Levy had lost faith in Nevers. Assuming further that Nevers still remained the vice up to the time of the demise of Levy!!!? I would assume also that if Mr Sata had picked on Dr Scott as his running mate chances are Mr Sata would have lost; reason: Tribal politics! How do we enhance our politics to make it comfortable for intelligent politicians like Proff Chirwa, Winter Kabimba, Chipimo jr, Edith Nawakwi, Given Lubinda, Dr Scott, Dr Katele and many others can still remain in politics?
hahaha, your list of intelligent politicians say much about you…lol (Winter and Katele.. lol) ZAMBIANS, God help us
The issue of running mate makes a lot of sense compared to the current arrangements. We can learn from countries with such provisions and fashion this requirement to suit our needs
Mistrusts are a reality and both Ghana and Malawi have had a fair share of such. In Ghana, Jerry Rawlings and his vice often confronted each other and even engaged in physical fights.
In Malawi Mbingu could not stand his female vice as the two engaged in dishonourable bickering to the detriment of their country.
We can have clauses in our constitution to protect the country from such disreputable conducts
We should not as a country fear or shy away from making progressive laws
Before I read the article, nice to see the face of Levy Mwanwasa.
THE PRESIDENT HAS A DRY MOUTH.HE CAN”T SAY ANYTHING .HE WAS CHEATED BY THE POST NEWS PAPERS THAT IT WILL BE ITS MOUTH PIECE.BUT THE POST HAS RUN OUT OF IDEAS ON WHAT TO SAY AFTER THE LIES HAS BEEN TOLD AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO SAY.THE STRATEGY BLAME HH FOR ALL THE FAILURES OF THE 90 DAYS CONFUSION.SO HH WILL BE BLAMED FOR NO EMPLOYMENT,NO FUEL,MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF THE PRESIDENT,BLAMED FOR ORGANISING PF CADRES TO BOO SATA AND MANY MORE .BUT BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING ……………..HH BE STRONG MWAINCE THE SNAKE HAS GONE IN THE TUNNELS AT PLOT 1.HIBERNATING AND IN THE TUNNELS BUT WE KNOW THE OUT-RATE.PRESSURE,PRESSURE,PRESSURE MWAINCE!
HH can not win an election no wonder people are advocating for running mate.Personally the vice President should take over
lol..SOSA, you are so dull. Isn’t it the same thing as having a running mate, usually a vice president, to take over in case of death? hahaha some Zambians, God help us.
@sosa
you are stupid if not stupidy then you are an *****. if you say those who can’t win are happy with the close,what are those who know have no problems in wining fearing then
I hate the shameful habit characteristic of Zambians to shy away from the truth hoping it will go away. Sata is busy dying in the office and for all I hear, he will kick the bucket before the new constitution and plunge Zambian Bembas into rivers of tears, the rest into oceans of joy while all will be faced with a presidential bye election hardly a year after the last general election. Imagine what would happen, Guy and Inonge wouldn’t ascend to power, Kabimba is outside cabinet so is out of contention. Only Alexander, GBM and Kambwili can run. This country is doomed, period!
if the running mate clause worked in politically rocky Malawi as well as Ghana, why is it gona fail in Zambia? Stop being stupid and retrogressive u dam heads and advocate for a better causes.
Kasabo S kalussa, if God really revealed Levy’s death to TB Joshua, for what reason? Is that the way God operates? Pray God that He gives you the spirit to discern spiritual things and take time to read the bible and understand God’s ways. Also learn how to differentiate between fake and genuine prophets. God bless you.
Bwana… you have misread, misunderstood, misconstrued the article. The writer does not in any way attribute Mwanawasa’s death to any revelations by TB Joshua.
Please revisit the article
THE amo ulichikopo cha chibuku. leave our true man of GOD alone.
Okey let us suppose this clause goes through and the running mate stands, when does it take effect? If it is immediate then Mr. Sata appoints GBM as vice and he dies, God forbid , so GBM becomes President of GRZ? Is this how it can work? Or it becomes effective when a new president and vice is elected? I know we should not target laws to fix individuals but if GBM can assume presidency I feel for my country. Someone out there please I need some educating on this clause in view of my fear
#16, I share your fears.
I think the article suggests that the running mate, I.e. vice president has to be elected by the people. Therefore chances of electing GBM to that office are slim. Unless of course the post newspaper decide to back him as they did with Sata.
This article will rattle some die hard PF, let alone confuse them as they can’t stomach the idea of Sata’s absence. Be real, that can/will happen. Kabaso S Kalussa is reminding Zambians before we arrive at the river, how do we cross? Fili uku tuleya is deceptive and primitive logic that lacks common sense. The death of Sata would imply the death of PF. Who would lead such a visionless party? The rest do not even have societal education. Lies wont work again, convine a party conference to elect a young leader to take over from PF Sata before certainity visits.
Will Zambia ever have the likes of Levy.P.M??????Kaya…
That is a humble advice which has been made before to all political parties in Zambia. Others have adheared to this priceless ideal, while others will ignore it at their own perel. Octopus Paul Bwalya is being definitive with life’s issues and others may not be amused but facts stand and shall come to pass. Woe unto parties with old leadership hinged on an individual. Theirs is a sad ending all these job seekers will shift to parties with more solid foundations.
awe chachine nga teluse from LPM..bambi nga kale bafwile..hahaha..plastic heart ..!
Please include this clause as soon as possible. What is wrong with Guy being a running mate? he is a Zambian. thats the more reason we should consider him, he is hard working straight, who wont steal like others, educated, eventually other countries will have confidence in our running of the economy. Zambia is for all. one zambia one nation. Napwa.
#3 Octopus.. chigala taumfwa, someone how you are right some people never appreciate what others had done for them. Lesa ni Malyotola
Why are you not reporting on former president Cptn Solo? Lets see if Sata will grant him national mourning.
The fears/views expressed in the article are very varied and real. Whilst we deliberate on this issue we shouldn’t be blinded by insisting at all costs to have the Vice President as a running mate.
Lets have conclusive answers to the issues raised with having the running mate so that once this is made into law there would be no crisis, the running and the President should work to serve the interest of the people. The system should be self scrutinizing and such that issues of corruption would be dealt with through how the system would be tailored unlike in the current form where the courts deliberate which has been very disappointing.
chi octopus stop fi voodoo, blood hell. What kind of thinking is that? Marabisi
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The running mate clause needs to be added into the new constitution for the sake of our children and sheer progress.
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC! Ichibumba! Ikona Kulibonesha taa! RIP my big man. Good to see the picture.